Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Correction Officers and Inmates to Benefit From Training and Certification
#Kingston, October 5, 2018 – Jamaica – The National Security Ministry and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) have signed a 
second memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the HEART Trust/NTA to continue and expand the vocational training and certification of DCS staff, wards and inmates. The agreement, which commences on October 3, 2018 and expires on May 31, 2020, will also provide technical support for the ‘We Transform’ programme, including the training of mentors.
We Transform links wards under the care and supervision of the DCS with positive, caring role models, who will help them overcome their personal risk factors and guide them through the process of resocialisation, transformation and reintegration into their communities. Funding for the partnership will come from the operational budget of the HEART Trust, with the Ministry and the DCS to provide monitoring and coordination.
Addressing the signing ceremony at the Ministry’s Oxford Road offices in Kingston on October 3, State Minister for National Security, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, said, the provisions under the MOU will change people’s lives. He noted that the development of inmates and wards is a priority of the Ministry.
“We are on a journey of creating a set of people who [upon] their release will be going back into their communities; some might even be going on to tertiary institutions. We are sure that they will be better coming out than when they are going in… . As much as we can, we have an obligation to assist these people,” he said.
First signed by the three entities in December 2015, the MOU has an overarching aim of empowering inmates and wards with the skill sets to become productive, self-sufficient citizens upon their release.
Commissioner of Corrections, Ina Hunter, informed that under the initial agreement, approximately 700 inmates benefited from training, and 153 DSC staff were certified in various areas. She noted that 63 correctional officers received a diploma in business management, and 12 have received 
Level 1 certification in air conditioning and refrigeration.
Mrs. Hunter expressed appreciation for the opportunity to expand the training and certification of staff and inmates under a new MOU. She said that the signing “signals a more strategic and far-reaching approach in responding to the needs of offenders and building the capacity of staff to deliver our mandate”.
For his part, Chairman of the HEART Trust/NTA, Edward Gabbidon, said that “this agreement is very special because it [enables us] to help reform those who have been incarcerated and also the people who work with them”.
“The Board of Management of HEART is focused on “uplifting, empowering and providing lifelong skills, so that people will be able to learn, earn and give back to society,” he added.
Released: JIS
KINGSTON, April 29 (JIS):
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the outcome of discussions arising from the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) will assist in guiding the Government’s planning for climate change.
This, he points out, is important for climate mitigation as well as building Jamaica’s resilience.
“We look forward to the discussions that will, no doubt, take place. We look forward to the basis of planning for the Government to streamline its investments to ensure you have the tools that you need to better advise us, that the WRA (Water Resources Authority) has the tools to digitise its monitoring network, and that all of the agencies that touch our planning mechanisms have the tools. But we need to know what we are facing, and we’re guided by your expertise,” Minister Samuda said.
He was addressing the opening ceremony for the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in New Kingston on Monday (April 29).
Senator Samuda said given the fact that the climate has changed and continues to do so, investments in and collaborations on building Jamaica’s predictive and scientific capacity must be prioritised.
“Ultimately, we need to be able to assess our current climatic realities if we are to better plan, if we’re to insist and ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs that we need it to. I’m very happy that this event is happening… because this is a critical issue.
“Jamaica, last year, faced its worst and most severe drought… and this year, we’re already seeing the impacts of not quite as severe a drought but, certainly, a drought with severe impacts, especially in the western part of the country,” he said.
Principal Director, Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, explained that the forum aims to, among other things, establish a collaboration platform for climate services providers and users to understand risks and opportunities of past, present and future climate developments, as well as improve inter-agency coordination of policies, plans and programmes.
Among the other presenters were Ambassador, European Union to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen; Chief Scientist/Climatologist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Adrian Trotman; and Head, Regional Climate Prediction Services, World Meteorological Organization, Wilfran Moufouma-Okia.
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica hosted the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) in partnership with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the World Meteorological Organization.
The National Stakeholder Consultation is a governance mechanism that guides how different sectors or actors work together to create products that contribute to adaptation and resilience-building. It seeks to create a road map for the development and implementation of climate services to inform decision-making.
NCF-1 aims to bridge the gap between climate providers and users. It increases the use of science-based information in decision-making and operations with the aim of generating and delivering co-produced and co-designed products and services.
CONTACT: CHRIS PATTERSON
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