Latest update February 10th, 2025 6:45 AM
Administrators, Instructors of Prison Gym graduate
Following weeks of diligent training and application to their respective tasks in the intricacies of physical fitness, eight gym instructors and two gym administrators received their respective instruments when the curtains came down on Flex Night Incorporated/Guyana Prison Service training programme at the Prison Officers’ Sports Club, Camp Street, Georgetown yesterday afternoon.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Angela Johnson represented Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee and delivered the keynote address. She was joined by Flex Night
Donald Sinclair (C) is flanked by Deputy Director of Prisons and Welton Trotz (L), and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Angela Johnson (R). Also in photo is Colin Howard (extreme L) and Marketing Director of the Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd, Clarence Perry (extreme R) with the graduating students standing behind.
Director, Donald Sinclair, several of the top brass of the Guyana Prison Service including Senior Superintendent in charge of Camp Street Prisons, Carl Graham, Deputy Director of Prisons, Welton Trotz, who deputized for director of Prisons, Dale Erskine, Training Officer, Colin Howard and Marketing Director of the Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd, Clarence Perry.
Ms Johnson expressed gratitude to the organizers for their input that was responsible for the success of the venture. She noted that officials of the local prison system oversee more than two thousand inmates, while pointing out the dual purpose of the institution. “Prison is meant to discipline inmates in a positive manner in order to make them useful citizens upon reintroduction into society as well as protect society by offering correctional and rehabilitative services thereby preserving social peacefulness,” explained the Permanent Secretary.
She further pointed out that the well being of the staff of the GPS as well as the inmates is an important issue for her Ministry. “It is for this reason that we believe that prison officers must be in prime shape if they are to maintain a safe and secure prison environment,” exhorted Ms Johnson. As such, she feels that the initiative will benefit the officers tremendously.
The Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd donated some three million dollars towards the project and Mr. Perry reiterated his firm’s desire to foster the rehabilitative process within the prisons. “We at Demerara Mutual are pleased to be associated with this project,” he said. The Marketing Director expressed the hope that the inmates will benefit from the rehabilitative process while inculcating positive behaviours upon reintroduction into society. “I wish to urge you all to strive for excellence while being disciplined,” he concluded.
Mr. Trotz gave a synopsis of the genesis of negotiations and discussions towards the establishment of the gym, sometime in October 2012. He said that the idea germinated through Mr. Sinclair and subsequently discussions began at the Ministry of Home Affairs before the organizers sought the benevolence of the Demerara Mutual Life. Thereafter, negotiations progressed at a rapid pace and yesterday’s launch was the fitting end result.
Mr. Sinclair also extended deep appreciation to officials of GTM for supporting the initiative to the end. Further, he lauded the efforts of prison officials while highlighting the many challenges encountered by organizers to make the project a reality. “The establishment of a gym in prison is by no means a simple task as gym instructors and administrators had to undergo special tutoring,” explained Mr. Sinclair. He said that equipment will be sourced locally as well as from a foreign entity, while individuals in the New York Diaspora will contribute by providing anatomy charts and uniforms. Consequently, officials will conduct an evaluation within one year in order to assess the progress made.
During the training period, officials received instruction in theoretical and practical issues as well as seminars on the intricacies of gym management, basic anatomy and exercise physiology, principles of weight training and exercise performance and training for special populations among other topics. Trainees also benefitted from two practical sessions in an actual gym environment, conducted by Flex Night Inc. Director Onai Vasconcellos.
Attendees were also treated to a skit that highlighted the importance and benefits derived from fitness activities, while graduating student, Keith Bailey, delivered a stirring vote of thanks.
Those that graduated are Kevin Pilgrim and Deoraj Gyandat (Gym Administrators), Keith Bailey, Ceon Charles, Olivia Cox, Patrick Crawford, Roddy Denhart, Kevon Limerick, Cleave Martin and Martin Rajmangal.
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