#Kingston, June 14, 2019 – Jamaica – State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, says the Ministry stands ready to support all efforts aimed at advancing the education of youngsters, ages 12 to 18, who are in custody at correctional institutions.
He said
that such engagement is necessary in preventing the juvenile offenders from
falling back into the cycle of crime and deviant behaviour, by ensuring that
“when they leave the correctional facilities, they are able to better function
as law-abiding citizens in productive areas”.
The
State Minister was speaking at a Department of Correctional Services (DCS) appreciation
luncheon for teachers and instructors attached to adult and juvenile penal
institutions, held recently at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St. Andrew.
Mr.
Terrelonge said recent studies indicate that globally, young people, ages 14 to
24, are responsible for a significant percentage of crimes. He noted that these juvenile offenders, who
are primarily boys, “would have also been exposed to violence and reproduced
violent behaviour from an earlier age, usually at home or within their
communities”.
Mr.
Terrelonge noted that several of them display a willingness to change their ways,
especially if they are so engaged. As
such, he is lauding the Ministries of National Security, and Justice and the DCS
for implementing wide-ranging programmes to rehabilitate the young offenders through
education and vocational training.
Mr.
Terrelonge noted that the DCS has some 85 teachers and instructors assigned
across the four juvenile and seven adult correctional institutions, whose work
is bearing fruit.
“Based
on the academic and skills training provided by yourselves and institutions
such as HEART Trust/NTA, we are able, now, to produce certificates for inmates
who have successfully completed their training,” he said.
The
State Minister said he was pleased with the adult inmates and juveniles,
particularly boys, who have pursued and are pursuing Caribbean Secondary Education
Certificate (CSEC) studies, noting that a number of them have secured more than
four subjects.
“Their (boys)
academic achievements [have] motivated many others to get along that path to
prosperity whilst in the confines of juvenile centres. I say a big ‘thank you’
to those young men, because they are now leading a positive [life] for the
other young men to follow,” he noted further.
Mr.
Terrelonge said the role of the instructors and teachers, in this regard, “cannot
be overstated”.
“For not
only are you instructing them in academics and vocational skills… you are
also mentors and guides. You have become their mothers, their fathers (and)
their counsellors. You have contributed to shaping a new life for them by
equipping them with new skills to function in a positive way in society,” he said.
Some of
these skills focus on conflict resolution, personal development, human rights
and the rights of children, interpersonal relationships, and communication
skills.
“The
broad focus on vocational training is very important in helping these young men
and older offenders to reintegrate into society upon their exit of correctional
facilities. The rehabilitation of inmates and juveniles is important for all of
us as we seek to build a better Jamaica that moves away from criminal
activities,” Mr. Terrelonge said.
Contact: Douglas McIntosh
Release: JIS
Photo Captions:
Header: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, delivering the keynote address at the Department of Correctional Services’ appreciation luncheon for teachers and instructors attached to penal institutions at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St. Andrew recently.
Insert: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (right), is greeted by Commissioner of Corrections, Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Gary Rowe, and Deputy Commissioner, Joyce Stone, during the Department of Correctional Services’ appreciation luncheon for teachers and instructors attached to penal institutions, at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St. Andrew, recently.
Photos contributed by the Department of Correctional Services