The Editor, Sir:

Prisons continue to prove to be the worst place to rehabilitate someone. It is hard, if not well nigh impossible. Recidivism rates continue to be upward of 50 per cent. That is the statistic in the U.S. penal system. I amaware that our prisons and our penal system do not have much success in changing the outlook and behaviour of our criminals, and that some new element needs to be injected in order to achieve a high rate of success in our rehabilitation programme.

One successful programme has been the InnerChange Freedom Initiative, a Christian-based pro-gramme that mentors, trains, and equips inmates to gain a job, complete their education, and be reintegrated into society with a new outlook on life. Though I am a very strong believer in the Jesus factor of the programme, just a review of the basic, practical, and realistic arm of the programme helps to increase its attractiveness.

1) It helps to complete the education of those who did not complete school

2) The programme has an element that helps to train inmates in the basics of some vocational jobs.

3) It teaches inmates how to dress for an interview and how to write an eye-catching r?sum?.

4) It helps to identify and place former inmates in a meaningful job.

Tamarind Farm was once a prison that helped with teaching inmates to farm. I am of the opinion that if our prisons actually helped our prisoners to do some meaningful task, learn a practical skill, and practise that skill for monetary gain, it would help to reduce recidivism.

I am, etc.,

GENE GIBBS

janbou00@juno.com

Dallas, Texas

Via Go-Jamaica