KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – The non-profit organisation , Food for the Poor (FFP) has secured the release of non-violent prisoners in Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana and Honduras in time for the New Year celebrations.

In Jamaica FFP paid fines to release 18 prisoners , seven were released in Guyana, 19 in Honduras and 76 in Haiti.

Robin Mahfood, President and Chief Executive Officer of FFP, said it is the charity organisation’s tradition to release non-violent inmates twice a year, during the Easter and Christmas seasons.

“The Prison Ministry Programme is based on the scripture, ‘When was it that we saw You sick or in prison and visited You… Matthew 25:31-46.’ We do this because we’re following Jesus’ example in the Gospels. It is the right thing to do,” Mahfood said .

“The vast majority of the prisoners in Latin American and the Caribbean are notoriously overcrowded for a wide variety of reasons. They are far worse than the prisoners in the United States, where disease and violence are rampant. There are also health and hygiene concerns,” Mahfood added.

Since the charity organisation started its prison ministry programme in 1998, it has assisted in freeing, training and reintroducing non-violent prisoners back in their communities as productive citizens.