Thirty-nine inmates, who recently completed crop husbandry and culinary arts courses graduated on Thursday.
In a press statement, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) said the 12-week courses are part of its rehabilitation strategy designed to enhance inmates employability and reduce their likelihood to re-offend.
During his remarks, the GPS said Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot noted that the prison administration remains confident that as the prison infrastructure continues to be developed, more prisoners will benefit from such rehabilitative training.
Noting that the rehabilitation of prisoners is an ongoing process, the release quoted Elliot saying “we are adequately preparing them whether it is with skill or educational training, so that when they are released back into society, they are productive citizens”.
At the graduation ceremony, Superintendent of Prisons, David Shepherd said inmates were given an opportunity to participate in the two programmes which focused on imparting skills with the aim of preparing them for their reintegration into the society.
Second Officer-in-Charge for the Prison’s Welfare and Corrections, Tessa McGarrell explained that the prison service has an obligation and mandate to provide prisoners with skills to facilitate their reintegration into society.
The graduates were each presented with a certificate in recognition of their participation in the courses.
