THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT IS with great concern that I write to you today. I am presently serving a life imprisonment term at the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre. I have been incarcerated for a little over 12 years now. My objective for writing you is to express a common sentiment being shared behind the walls currently by a number of empowered rehabilitated inmates (clients).
We strongly believe the present rate of crime and violence in our society is totally unacceptable. It is an epidemic, which has crippled our society. We once contributed to this epidemic, which eventually led us behind bars. All our friends out there whom we have misguided in some way, we are asking you to stop firing the guns and stop killing our brothers and sisters. The same way we had influenced you in negative ways to commit lawless activities, it is only fair that you take the positive influence we want to contribute to law, in order for you to build our beautiful country.
Personally, I have done many crimes in my teenage years. I am moved to use this opportunity to apologise to my country, especially to the persons and relatives of persons I have hurt or fatally wounded. I am ashamed of the crimes I have committed against my fellow Jamaican brothers and sisters. I must say thanks to God for using the law to place me where I could be rehabilitated.
Firearms and narco-drugs are two critical factors causing the alarming rate of major crimes in our society. In order for us to prevent crime and violence or even to minimise it, we need to stop criminals or potential criminals from gaining access to these two crucial items. The only way to do that is if we work together as a focused team with the betterment of Jamaica as our objective.
The main thing that gave many of us here a new outlook on life is the love being showed to us by a number of Christians. Two of these persons are Medical/Psychiatric Social Worker Mrs. Jerine Singh and Psychiatric Dr. George Leveridge. Their love proves to be inexhaustible. With that in mind we honestly believe we need to get back to basics. We need to turn back to God as a nation.
I am, etc.,
NEWTON MCLEOD
St. Catherine Adult
Correctional Centre
1 White Church Street
Spanish Town
St. Catherine
