Skills for Life recipients pictured with Superintendent of Prisons and Education and Rehabilitation programme coordinators during the programme’s closing ceremony and presentation of certificates. Photo: GIS/Ronnielle Frazer

Wakima Lettsome receiving his certificate of completion in the Skills for Life programme during the programme’s closing ceremony and presentation of certificates. Photo: GIS/Ronnielle Frazer

The inmates received their certificates having completed the programme, which is accredited through National Health Service Solutions.

The Skills for Life course is as a result of significant work done by the Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL) on education and rehabilitation initiatives at Her Majesty’s Prisons. An educational and vocational programme was also launched to provide inmates at the prison with a structured curriculum.

Programme coordinator, Mr Walter D. Barrett said the course covered topics such as Money Management and Budgeting, Family Life, Substance Abuse Awareness, Anger Management, Conflict Resolution, Understanding Perception, and Personality Trait Identification.

Mr Barrett said, “At the end of the course, it is hoped that inmates enrolled in the programme would have gained added tools not only for life in prison, but more importantly, for life upon their release as they reintegrate into society.”

He added that the inmates enrolled in the first cohort of the Skills for Life class have exhibited positive behaviours, paving the way for others who will be starting the second cohort of the programme later this month.

He said, “Challenges will arise for any inmates while incarcerated, but with the right resources, these challenges can be overcome.”

The Skills for Life course teaches inmates how to navigate life’s various challenges and was created to nurture each participant though their sentence, evaluate their progress and offer whatever additional resources may be needed to further develop their cognitive skills and behaviour in a meaningful way. A refresher course will be held at the prison every six months.

Inmates who successfully participate in the Skills for Life programme are also offered a special incentive to take hold of the tools they receive from the course. This incentive comes in the form of their certificate, which not only indicates their completion of the programme, but can also be used as a pass for specific privileges as deemed appropriate by the Prison Superintendent both within and outside the prison.

The Ministry of Education and Culture is committed to providing high quality education and rehabilitative services so that everyone can have equitable access to educational opportunities.