Rights group, DCS sign deal to extend prison school programme

Human rights group, Stand Up for Jamaica, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) for the continuation of rehabilitation programmes at the Fort Augusta, Tower Street, St Catherine and South Camp adult correctional facilities.

Under the MOU, Stand Up Jamaica says it will increase its educational, skills training and psychological programmes in the penal facilities through funding support from the European Union Delegation in Jamaica. 

The programmes include Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and remedial classes for inmates.

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"As a society we have to remember that inmates are human beings and as such we should strive to make our correctional facilities a place of transformation not just punishment," said executive director of Stand Up for Jamaica, Carla Gullotta.

"We must prepare inmates for life after prison so that they can be fully integrated when they are released and in so doing reduce the risk of them becoming repeat offenders," she said.

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Under the MOU, Stand Up for Jamaica, which has been working in the prisons for the past nine years, will help in providing support for the welfare of inmates and expand its prison school programme. 

DCS has committed to supporting and facilitating the work of the NGO in the various correctional facilities.