FIRST Lady Sandra Granger has urged female inmates at the New Amsterdam Prison to see the experience of incarceration as an opportunity to become better and stronger individuals.Speaking to the women following a tour of the facility, Mrs Granger said, “When we learn from our experiences and we start to look at ourselves, we can become stronger and we can see where we

need to go…. (Incarceration) is an experience that you have gone through, and I hope that it is something that will help to make you stronger as you go back out into society.”

The First Lady also called on prison officials and non-governmental organisations that work to rehabilitate inmates to ensure that a wider range of skills-training is offered to the women, such as carpentry and masonry, so that upon completion of their sentences they will be able to earn a living.

The First Lady also promised those inmates that she would try to assist them in areas that they require help, because while they may be incarcerated, their lives have value and they are still capable of making positive contributions to society.

“You still are individuals…. You might be [here] right now, but some of you will be leaving shortly, and you should be able to go back to your communities with your heads held high,” Mrs Granger said. (Ministry of the Presidency)