–after months of training in various areas of trade

THE Guyana Prison Service (GPS) on Monday made tradesmen of 120 inmates, a staggering 26.5 per cent of the population at the Mazaruni Prison, when they each graduated in various areas of tradesmanship.
The event was held at the Mazaruni facility, located just off Bartica on the Mazaruni River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The prisoners were trained in such areas as charcoal burning; landscaping, fishing; tailoring; art and craft; culinary arts; treating chronic illnesses; literacy and numeracy; joinery and block-making; and veterinary science. At the end of the course, they were each awarded certificates, medals and trophies.

Delivering the feature address, Acting Director of Prisons, Mr. Gladwin Samuels said he is pleased that despite the many challenges the GPS has had to overcome during the course of the year, it was still able to meet its responsibility of making offenders better. “What is remarkable is that out of the 452 inmates at this location, 120, or 26.5 per cent are graduating here with a skill. I believe this is a great precedent we have set,” he declared.
He went on to not only commend the graduates, but also underscored that the Service is committed to addressing the needs of offenders as it moves to aggressively pursue its mandate of correction and rehabilitation.
He said for that matter, the Service as well as the Ministry of Public Security are always ready and willing to work with anyone or any organization, to ensure the wellbeing of offenders and the general security of the nation. He said he was particularly impressed with the partnership between BK International and the Ministry of Social Protection.

BUILDING DREAMS

Noting that education is all about building people’s dreams, Samuels said the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
“At this Mazaruni location, as at other locations, the GPS has worked at expanding your understanding, improving your skills and helping you to acquire knowledge,” he said.
“With these, you can build your dreams as you equip yourselves to take your place as productive citizens of society,” he told the gathering of inmates, adding: “For some of you, the challenges were many, as you doubted whether you would be successful. I am sure many of you were laughed at and called all sorts of names by other inmates when you started this journey. But with time, those doubts were soon replaced with confidence, as the staff at Mazaruni provided a very supportive environment.
“The truth is, everyone is somebody by default, and no one can really get lost in the crowd, unless he chooses to become lost.”
Noting that the Sentence Management Unit plays a vital role in identifying the training needs of the inmates, Samuels said that the courses being offered are carefully chosen so as to ensure they were conversant with the subject areas.
He said that in fact, most of the facilitators know the inmates on a personal level, and are not only concerned about their success in prison, but also their success outside in the wider society.
“Your success is the Guyana Prison Service’s success, and by extension, the nation’s success,” Samuels said, adding:“The monies spent on training are considered monies well spent when you leave here better prepared to serve your community and you do not re-offend.”
He explained that as human beings, there is a natural tendency to dwell on one’s shortcomings rather than the talents with which they are blessed.
“We need to utilise them to the best of our ability, and share them with those around us,” he added.

RIGHT SKILLS, WRONG VALUES
“From the range of offences many of you here are imprisoned for, it is clear that you entered prison equipped with the wrong skills, or you had the right skills but the wrong values. These led to your imprisonment,” he told the inmates.
And there is where the GPS comes in, he said, as it is their responsibility to help inmates realise their mistakes and become better persons.
“We want to equip you with skills needed in society; we want to help you to develop the attitudes that will make you employable,” he said.
“We need you to see your incarceration not only as your downfall, but as your opportunity to get right back up; rehabilitate, go through those gates on completion of your sentence and realise your full potential,” he added.
On that note, Samuels urged the graduates to see the ceremony as a commencement, not a completion, as they will be faced with many challenges.
The fact is, he said, most things are difficult before they become easy, but he however, assured the prisoners that it is not what happens to them that is important, but it is the opportunities they take and make out of life.
“I know your determination, so I urge you to see your certification as your ticket to improve your life and impact positively on all those with whom you come into contact,” he said.

‘YOU CAN DO IT’

“You can do it if you want to. I want to challenge you today to see the best in yourself. See yourself as successful, and do not let your past determine your future. Moreso, share with us ways in which we can further help you to be successful, and we will do all that is humanly and financially possible to assist you. It will not happen overnight, but we have to work together,”Samuels told the inmates.
He explained that the inmates will be able to put their skills to use as the GPS works to develop the prison enterprise.
The Prison Director told the gathering that the expansion of the Mazaruni Prison will not cater for cells and dormitories only, but that adequate consideration is being given to the rehabilitative needs of offenders.
Therefore, he said, the budget team will continue to seek the required funding for the construction of more trade shops, more classrooms, and increased facilities with the necessary equipment so thatinmates may be meaningfully engaged during their period of rehabilitation.
“You are somebody! You are unique! You are special! You possess the heart of a champion. Your purpose is greater than your struggles,” Samuels concluded as he charged the inmates to further progress in their endeavours.

In attendance at the exercise were Regional Chairman, Mr Gordon Bradford; Chairman of the Mazaruni Prison’s Visiting Committee, Mr Samuel Dasraj; Officer in Charge of the Mazaruni Prison, Senior Superintendent Alexander Hopkinson; and Officer Commanding Jungle and Amphibious Training School, Captain Castello along with other senior prison officials.