
Stand Up For Jamaica (SUFJ) is lauding the Department of Correctional Services for making bold strides in its effort to have prisoners rehabilitated and reintegrated.
Executive Director for SUFJ, Carla Gullotta said while there has been widescale discussion about the need to build a new prison due to overcrowding and poor infrastructure, the department must be commended for two recent significant initiatives: the opening of a state-of-the-art nursery for incarcerate expectant mothers at South Camp Adult Correctional facility and the refurbishing and re-opening of a half-way house for rehabilitated inmates at Tower Street in Kingston.
“Watching this commendable new kind of approach to the prison, we have to express our
appreciation and support support for what is happening because it shows that a new approach to the concept of punishment is endorsed and implemented,” she said
Gullotta described the opening at the nursery as an “excellent step”.
Pointing to the limited space and the small size of the facility, Gullotta said that creating an area where mother and child can be comfortable demonstrates that the department has recognised that women must be given priority when it comes to caring for their children and infants should be protected in a challenging environment.
She similarly welcomed the re-opening of the transitional home for parolees.
Which will facilitate those who may not have a shelter.
Gullotta however raised the issue of the inadequacy of the budgetary allocation to the
department, while appealing to the Government to do more.
“If the budget is not robust that is another huge obstacle because DCS is struggling trying to do things without having the funds,” she said while adding that the department has several rehabilitation programmes which require more substantial financial support otherwise their implementation is at risk.
“If we want to extend rehabilitation and we don’t have space to hold those who are supposed to be part of rehabilitation is a big clash, because attempts can be done but the success of those attempts is partial,” she said.
Pointing to the Tower Street facility, she noted that although inmates there are benefit-ting from two schools at the facilities, a significant number of the 1700 inmates would like to participate but are unable to because of the limited spaces.
“Poor infrastructure is a big obstacle to implementing what DCS and ourselves in partnering
with them are willing to do,” she added.
She however recommended that the department increases ways to implement entrepreneurial initiatives at the prison facilities which can generate earnings.
In the meantime, SUFJ again renewed its appeal to the Government to lead from the front and revisit its policy banning the employment of ex-convicts.
Gullotta said the Ministry of National Security cannot only be lobbying for rehabilitation,.It
needs to also advocate for the ex-prisoners to get employment.
“Stand up has employed quite a number of them and they are working well, they are professional and it is our way to show that another way is possible.
“Rehabilitation and reintegration are strictly linked otherwise it doesn’t make any sense to
practise one if you don’t implement the other,” she declared.
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