– urges inmates to use incarceration period to reflect and change their lives
THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has demonstrated that even though persons may reside within the confines of a prison, they are loved and remembered.

Minister Priya Manickchand addresses the inmates at the New Amsterdam Female Prison in Region 6 on Wednesday.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand; Administrator of the Women’s Bureau Affairs, Hymawattie Lagan; officials from the Ministry and personnel from Operation Restoration on Wednesday last visited the New Amsterdam Female Prison in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) to distribute care items for the holiday and also to have an interactive session with the inmates.

The care packages containing shampoos and hair conditioners, skin creams, powders, bath gels among others were distributed to the 81 inmates.

Administrator of the Women’s Affairs Bureau, Hymawattie Lagan distributes gifts to female inmates.

The Minister during her interactive session with the inmates encouraged them to use their incarceration period to reflect and change their lives. She added that they should think before they act since it was in haste they committed crimes.

During a tour of the prison environment and observation of the living conditions at the penitentiary, Minister Manickchand said she was pleased with the facilities. Although, there is room for improvement, she highlighted that Guyana is a developing country and resources are not abundant.

More importantly, emphasis has been placed on training of the inmates to acquire skill(s) so that when they are released from prison, since none of them is on death row, they will be able to provide for themselves and

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand inspects the craft, knitting and sewing work done by the inmate at New Amsterdam Female Prison, Region 6.

families. According to a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA), the inmates have been acquiring – so far – sewing, knitting, cooking and crafting skills.

Discussions with the inmates disclosed concerns about the justice system in terms of sentencing, and the Minister took the opportunity to inform them that the Government has expended monies to review the system. She however, explained to them that it will take some time for it to materialize.

As part of the interactive session, Operation Restoration Chairperson, Phyllis Jordan provided a motivational sermon. She held a prayer session with the women and offered private counselling for those who requested it