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A second chance… Inmates at Lusignan Prisons praise trade programme
Screen grabs from the video showing various inmates engaged in work fitting their specific trades at the trade shop.
(Kaieteur News) – Prison is commonly viewed as a place with no freedom; a place where some feel that once incarcerated your life is over. However, for the inmates at the Lusignan Prisons who are enrolled in a trade programme which provides inmates with a second chance.
Inmates are given the opportunity to better their skills or learn a trade as they serve their sentences, and await to be reintegrated into society.
On Wednesday, inmates attached to this prison praised the trade programme and shared their stories. Chief Prison Officer Owen Charles in a video posted on the Prison Service’s Facebook page, said that the trade shop he is in charge of was once a holding bay. He said it now plays a vital role as it relates to the rehabilitation of inmates, with the numerous skills being taught daily.
“With these trades, some amateurs might come into prison with a fair knowledge of some of these trades. The inmates with knowledge would help us to train others who don’t have knowledge of the various skills,” Charles said.
The Chief Prison Officer said he is proud of the seven former inmates who benefitted from the programme fending for themselves and providing for their families.
In the body work section, inmate Feroze Shakir said, “I work at the trade shop right now. Right about I’m doing body work. I used to previously do this, also on the road, so just come in here now enhance my skills. It’s going to help me with remission, to get me out of here faster, and when I go there, it’s going to enhance my skills more so it will benefit me and my family more.”
Albert Chapel whose interest is in welding and fabrication said that he was familiar with the trade before entering prison. He is using the opportunity to better his skills as he awaits re-integration.
“I came here with my skill, and I just contributed to the Lusignan Prison Penitentiary. That’s basically it, you know just teaching one, one other inmates, normal thing, so what they can contribute to society, when they’re out back with your family and friends.”
In mechanics, Gonzales Alexis, said, “I come into prison about a year now, and I have this trade, the mechanic trade (and I am) teaching some of the friends them. So, when I gone, they could continue the journey.”
Emton Felix, a joiner, disclosed that he went to prison on Christmas Eve Day last year and since then he has received support in developing his trade. Felix thanked the Prison Service for the opportunity to learn.
Over in general construction, Bruce said that while he is a tradesman, he enjoys teaching his fellow inmates to better their skills, so that when they leave, they will be able to fend for themselves and not return to prison.
Similarly, for Josiah Baptist, being part of the programme has given him a second chance.
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