More Training for Wards of the State At South Camp Centre
By: , September 6, 2019The Key Point:
Photo: Michael Sloley
Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Rudyard Spencer (second left), breaks ground for the construction of a multipurpose facility to expand educational and training opportunities for wards of the State, at the South Camp Juvenile Correctional and Remand Centre in St. Andrew, on September 5. Also taking part (from left) are United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Country Representative in Jamaica, Jason Fraser; Organization of American States (OAS) Representative in Jamaica, Jeanelle Van Glaanenweygel; Deputy Chief of Mission for USAID, John McIntyre; Commissioner of Corrections, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Gary Rowe; Senior Director at the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Althea Davis; and Superintendent at the Centre, Maulette White.
Photo: Michael Sloley
Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Rudyard Spencer (centre), points to the design of the new multipurpose facility to be constructed at the South Camp Juvenile Correctional and Remand Centre, in St. Andrew. Occasion was a ground-breaking ceremony for the project, held yesterday (September 5). With the State Minister (from left) are Organization of American States (OAS) Representative in Jamaica, Jeanelle Van Glaanenweygel, and Commissioner of Corrections, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), Gary Rowe.The Facts
- Ground was broken today (September 5) for the complex by Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, and representatives from partner agencies involved in the project, which is set for completion by the end of December.
- Delivering the keynote address, the State Minister said the Department of Correctional Service (DCS), is helping to turn ex-offenders away from crime, by creating avenues for them to engage in productive ventures.
The Full Story
The South Camp Juvenile Correctional and Remand Centre in St. Andrew will soon have a multipurpose facility to expand educational and training opportunities for wards of the State.
Ground was broken today (September 5) for the complex by Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, and representatives from partner agencies involved in the project, which is set for completion by the end of December.
Delivering the keynote address, the State Minister said the Department of Correctional Service (DCS), is helping to turn ex-offenders away from crime, by creating avenues for them to engage in productive ventures.
“I am pleased that the DCS is breaking the cycle of crime and violence by creating productive men and women for our society, through transformational, educational and vocational programmes,” Mr. Spencer told the gathering.
The State Minister encouraged the wards and inmates not to “limit their potential”, and that they should focus on their dreams and utilise all the resources and support in the penal system and “create a new path” for themselves.
He also called on corporate Jamaica, regional and international partners to assist with the “reintegration” of ex-offenders by giving them a chance, as it is hard for incarcerated persons to acquire basic privileges, such as jobs, grants and scholarships.
Construction of the multipurpose building is an activity of the project ‘A New Path: Promoting a Healthy Environment and Productive Alternatives for Juvenile Remandees and Offenders in Jamaica’, implemented by the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS), through its Department of Public Security, working with its affiliate, The Trust for the Americas.
Financial support is provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Mr. Spencer expressed “immense gratitude to the unrelenting partners, who continue to be vital to the rehabilitation and redemption strategy that has been implemented at the Ministry of National Security”.
Other speakers at the function included Superintendent at the Centre, Maulette White; Commissioner of Corrections, Lieutenant Colonel (R’td) Gary Rowe; OAS Representative in Jamaica, Jeanelle Van Glaanenweygel; and Deputy Chief of Mission for USAID in Jamaica, John McIntyre.