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Correctional Department helps inmate's daughter back to school
Horace Hines
Thursday, September 03, 2009
SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland -
The Department of Correctional Services yesterday gave the 14-year-old daughter of one of its inmates at the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre money to buy clothes and books for the new school year.
According to Comissioner of Corrections June Jarrett, yesterday's gesture was made possible through a new unit launched by the correctional services two months ago to assist children whose parents are imprisoned, with a view to prevent them from falling prey to criminal activities.
"In this unit, we have social workers who assist the children with counselling," Jarrett told the Observer West. "Our duty is to ascertain the welfare of the children".
Jarrett, who used her personal cash for yesterday's donation, expressed the need to launch a project to generate cash for the new initiative in light of the fact that several other children are being assessed.
She said the Westmoreland student was selected after interviewing inmates.
"When contacted we found out that the child needed books, a bag and shoes to go back to school. So yesterday during a visit I handed over money to the grandmother of the child. We were accompanied by social workers and probation officers from area," she said.
The young student, whose father is serving a 10-year sentence for a charge of manslaughter, was grateful.
"I am so very happy for what you have done for me and
I hope this happiness and joy will be spread to other children," she said.
Her grandmother was so overwhelmed that she could not hold back the tears.
Meanwhile, to complement to the new welfare unit, the Department of Correctional Services last week staged a parenting seminar at Fort Augusta for inmates who will be released within the next three months.
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