A BUSINESSMAN'S drive to implement computer programmes into the island's prisons has been quietly inching towards success.
The 'First Sundays Unchained' programme, a movement aimed at helping prisoners make better use of their time, has achieved some level of success since its birth roughly four years ago.
In a story published on September 13 last year, The Sunday Gleaner reported that through First Sundays Unchained, the promoters, Destiny Promotions, were trying to raise funds to donate computers to the South Camp Rehabilitation Centre,St. Andrew, provide computer lessons, provide material for them to use and build desks and chairs, and to give motivational talks.
Through their concerts held on the first Sunday in each month, they use the proceeds to purchase the things necessary to carry out their goal. The project's head is businessman Kevin Wallen.
In January of this year they hosted Ernie Smith, while this month Junior Reid and his sons were the featured artistes. In March, Bushman is supposed to be the featured act.
Recently, Wallen told The Gleaner that since last year, they have been able to achieve quite a bit, even though they still have a far way to go.
"The project we started at the South Camp Centre is finished. The inmates now have computers there and are starting to use them," Wallen stated. "It's been amazing. They are enthusiastic and are using the computers. The only thing is that the place is not big enough. We just wanted to get the programme started, so later on we can always look at expanding."
Under the programme, the software available to the inmates can move them from basic knowledge to more advanced understanding. Through classes which are scheduled inside the prison, some prisoners teach other inmates.
The long term goal ultimate aim Wallen added, is to eventually have computers all over. "The ultimate goal is to have computers in all the penal institutions. They need to have these outlets," Wallen concluded.
Come this March, Bushman will be the featured artiste for the monthly show.
