Efforts by prison authorities to assist prisoners’ development and change continue to show results with the graduation of a batch of inmates from Anger Management and “Just Think” courses on Friday 3rd January 2012.
Fourteen males and one female graduated from the programmes which were facilitated by Rev. John Malcolm for the Anger Management course and Officers Lawanda Jennings and Robert Lewis for the Just Think course.
The graduation ceremony was a joint collaboration by the Ministry of Home Affairs, under which the Prison falls, and the Ministry of Health and Human Services. It was attended by Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Ms. Barbara Higgs, Undersecretary of Health and Human Services Ms. Charlene Higgs, and Prison Superintendent Ian Sargent.
Acting Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs Ms. Higgs stated that:
“The ongoing work in this area between the two Ministries has had a significant impact on the delivery of interventions offered to offenders.
The two courses have been run side to side and it has demonstrated a positive impact in relation to the rehabilitation initiatives within the Government departments. The course work in both programs has led to a reinforcement of message in relation to how a prisoner can overcome poor decision making and take positive steps to control potential anger. Providing interventions within the custodial environment is essential in ensuring that offenders develop coping skills when returning to society.”
