INMATES AND Correctional Service Officers at the South Camp Rehabilitation Centre in Kingston, are to benefit from computer training as a laboratory has been set up at the location for this purpose. About 70 inmates and 30 officers are to benefit.
The project is a joint effort between Cornerstone Ministries and the Correctional Services Department.
A Memorandum of Understanding for providing the training was signed by the groups at the Correctional Services head office on King Street, recently.
Initially, the one-year programme will offer training in basic and advanced computer technology, computer repair, digital-audio, data entry, videography as well as numerate and literacy skills. The computer training programmes are certified by Microsoft and the National Council for Technical Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET).
The pilot for the computer training began in July and to date 30 inmates have been trained. These inmates will now assist in training their counterparts in the laboratory that has been established at the South Camp Rehabilitation Centre. The centre is equipped with 30 computers.
Alton Grizzle from Corner-stone Ministries told JIS News that the programme would cost $6 million, 25 per cent of which would be provided by the Correctional Services Depart-ment.
Explaining the rationale for the programme, Senior Director of Planning and Research at the Department of Correctional Services, Sonia Wallace, said the inmates at the South Camp Rehabilitation Centre who were serving longer-term sentences were not able to participate in external conditional release programmes.
"Therefore, we are now attempting to enhance the rehabilitation thrust by providing opportunities for training inside the institution," she added.
She said that inmates who have been trained in the Information Communication and Technology programme, could apply for a rehabilitation grant to establish small self-start businesses after they have been released.
The programme has also received support from Grace, Kennedy Foundation and Jamaica Broilers. There are plans to incorporate a work experience component in the training programme.
Cornerstone Ministries is a Christian-based non-profit organisation involved in providing life-training skills in prison, industry and communities. The entity has been collaborating with the Correctional Services Department to provide skills training for inmates since 1993.
