First Lady keeps promise to female prisoners

Apr 01, 2013 News

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar fulfilled a promise made to the female prisoners of the New Amsterdam Prisons when she donated a quantity of equipment during a visit to the facility on Monday. A karaoke machine, a flat- screen television set, several fans, etc were among the items donated by the First Lady through various business entities in Georgetown, including Reaz Khan Trading and China Trading.

Mrs. Ramotar had visited the facility on International Women’s Day (March 8) where she served the prisoners lunch and donated gifts too to the prisoners’ salon group.

“We promised these [items] when we were here the last time—we saw that they were fanning and we got the message”, she stated with a little laugh.

Her son, Alexi Ramotar, she stated, was the donor of the karaoke system, “because I spoke about the talent, he said, it was better that he give the karaoke machine so that they can improve themselves”.

First Lady handing over the items to the Office-in-Charge of the Prisons

“These items are given so that the women here can make their lives more comfortable, while they are here so that they can reflect on their lives and when they come out from this institution, they can be at least better women”, Mrs. Ramotar added.

Officer-in-Charge of the N/A Prisons, Mr. Linden Cornette expressed thanks on behalf of himself and the female prisoners. “I want to thank you for this most timely gesture, because at this moment when we are going towards correction, the equipment here is relevant to correction”. He added, too, that the equipment donated will assist in eradicating some sense of “boredom” amongst the female prisoners, especially those not participating in any form of labour or exercise around the prison. He also expressed thanks to the donors.

He stated that at the moment, “apprehension is one of the main concerns among prisoners generally…they can talk to you one on one, but with an audience, there is an apprehension, particularly with this set—a karaoke set will bring out more boldness and remove the apprehension”.

After the handing- over, several female prisoners showcased their talent by reciting dramatic poetry and singing songs, and were warmly greeted with hugs by the First Lady.