‘Make a difference from in here’ ─ Minister Broomes tells young inmates at Timehri Prison

May 20, 2019 News

Mother’s Day for many is that one day set aside to show love and appreciation for one’s mother, aunt, grandmother or another relative who played the role of mother.
Usually, on this day homes are abuzz with chatter, laughter and of course the sweet aroma of delectable delicacies being prepared in the kitchen. However, for the young inmates at the Timehri prison, Mother’s Day is not the same, with many serving time away from their families for offences they would have committed.

Minister Broomes and her team pray with the young inmates

Last Sunday though, the young men got a pleasant surprise, when Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency, with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes, spent most of her Mother’s Day with them, bringing greetings from President David Granger, giving a listening ear, offering words of encouragement and even offering prayers on their behalf.
During her interaction with the young men who committed offences ranging from breaking and enter, dangerous driving to marijuana possession. Minister Broomes told them she wanted to help them, but they would have to help her in return. Adding that “it is not where you are, but it’s where you end up”
Not one to shy away, Minister Broomes sternly told the young men “if you play with fire you will get burn…” However, she advised them to prepare their minds for life outside of the prison walls. “There is a life out there and you have to be a part of it,” she stated.

Minister Broomes listens to one of the inmates

Minister Broomes and Assistant Superintendant of Police Amias Benjamin

She emphasised, that it was also their responsibility to encourage other youngsters not to make the same mistakes they did. “You must be out there helping other youngsters to not end up in here … I’m sounding the bell in your head,” she declared.
Minister Broomes noted that her portfolio represented youths all over Guyana, including those behind prison walls.
Among the issues that caught the Minister’s attention was a matter involving a young man who has been imprisoned for three years, for possession of 8 grams of marijuana.
She said the government has already made headway with legislation to deal with possession of small amounts of marijuana and to introduce programmes for the development of the nation’s young people, especially those who require reformation.
(A DPI feature)

The Timehri Prison facility

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