A7: Security ministry takes fight to crime with education
THE MINISTRY of National Security and the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL) are to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to offer educational opportunities to inmates and other interest groups.
Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of state in the security ministry, said offering educational programmes to persons in juvenile confinement, prisons, or at-risk social groups is fundamental to the rehabilitation process and the fight against crime.
He argued that this could have a direct impact on the country’s rate of recidivism and, ultimately, crime, adding that education behind bars meant a greater likelihood of post-release employment, stability and independence for the individual.
“One of the core areas of focus in the Rehabilitation for Reintegration agenda is to ensure that all inmates and wards leave our institutions literate and better than when they went in,” he said.
He noted that the JFLL has had tremendous success in empowering adult learners to become literate, and he is confident the inmates will grasp the opportunity.
“Many of our inmates and wards are thirsty to learn, and if we intend to abate the cycle of violence, it makes sense to invest in them, hence this MOU,” Charles said.
“The programme is a practical
initiative with clear results. It will help us to see them move from basic literacy to obtaining high-school level certification. Many of the inmates have skills but are weak in reading. This project is to help
them make the transition to literacy and HEART vocational programmes,” he explained.
Charles said one of the primary objectives of the ministry is to ensure that
persons doing time are prepared for success upon release and to help them reintegrate, get jobs, provide for their families and, ultimately, stay away from crime.