Joseph Cunningham, Gleaner Writer

REESE

Higher academic accomplishment for staff of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) will be a top priority from now on, says Commissioner of Corrections, Major Richard Reese.

"To facilitate upward social mobility in and out of the workplace, our uniformed staff must be able to cover the demands of skilled and unskilled labour," Major Reese explained.

He was speaking at the opening exercise of the staff development programme, held at the DCS training centre on Tuesday.

Major Reese said the programme's objective is to allow staff to pursue academic qualifications in subject areas such as mathematics, English language, English literature and introduction to microcomputers.

Aileen Wolfe-Stephens, deputy commissioner of human resource management, said there was a large number of applications for the programme.

"We were only able to accept 150 of 400 applicants, so I expect that the programme will be a continuous one," she said.

"We appreciate this opportunity to return to the classroom. I intend to make the best of the opportunity," said John Braham, whose sentiments were echoed by classmates.

The DCS is covering the cost for transportation, the venue, classroom facilities, and teachers. "All our officers are required to do is to purchase their textbooks and to learn what is being taught," Mrs. Wolfe-Stephens noted.