FIVE females of the New Opportunity Corp (NOC) have received a presidential pardon, effective today, the Ministry of Social Protection announced on Thursday.
The females, aged 13 to 16, were encouraged by subject Minister Amna Ally, to strive for success as they have been released from the institution.
In a statement to the media, the Ministry of Social Protection said the females expressed gratitude to President David Granger for releasing them from the institution.
During a visit to the institution on Wednesday, the need for tighter security was discussed following the escape of four juveniles.

Three of the quartet has returned to the institute. Officials have since committed to having the existing breaches rectified soonest, so as to prevent recurrence.
Structural improvement to the facility was also discussed with the minister who participated in a walk through with Ryan Baichu, Principal Assistant Secretary (ag) and engineering consultants.
The enhancement work which includes construction and renovation is scheduled to commence before the end of the year.
Staff of the NOC have also called for the hiring of additional staff to reduce the challenges experienced at the institution; the matter is currently being examined with the aim of rectifying the problem soon.

Minister Ally during her deliberations with the staff of the NOC, addressed programmes being implemented at the institution to reintegrate the juveniles into society.
She was provided with an overview of the programmes and future plans to keep the youngsters gainfully occupied, as they develop vocational training and skills.
Some of the programmes include information technology, agriculture, welding and fabrication, catering, sewing, electrical, joinery, and steel pan.
Additionally, the NOC recently partnered with the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) to train some of the juveniles from the institution in information technology. Meanwhile, some of the juveniles have been granted the opportunity to showcase their work at a booth during the ‘On show Guyana festivities’ to be held on September 29.
Director of Childcare and Protection Agency (CHPA), Ann Greene, suggested that the juveniles housed at the NOC be introduced to foundations in literacy and numeracy.
As such, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson, has been tasked with sourcing two teachers to teach the literacy and numeracy programmes. A building has since been identified , to hold the classes.

Meanwhile, the NOC is on its way to fully becoming a self-sufficient institution as it maintains an array of livestock, as well as farm lands with many crops.
The NOC which once fell under the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport within the Ministry of Education has been reassigned to Minister Ally by President David Granger.
Also present at the NOC on Wednesday were Director of Social Services, Wentworth Tanner, Rhonda Nelson of the SLED Initiative and Alicia Reece, Advisor to Minister Amna Ally.