Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, the Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn says the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of National Security, the Department of Correctional Services and the HEART/NSTA Trust, is a pivotal milestone in ongoing efforts to empower and rehabilitate inmates.
The MOU that was signed earlier today (June 27) establishes a collaborative framework for providing training and assessment services to inmates and correctional officers.
“This signing ceremony represents a crucial step forward in our strategic approach to rehabilitation and reintegration,” remarked Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, the Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn.
Minister Cuthbert-Flynn described the MOU as critical and said that “the partnership represents a strategic and united approach to rehabilitation and reintegration”. She reasoned that the collaboration aims to provide inmates and wards with the necessary technical and vocational skills to secure meaningful employment upon reintegration into society.
She further stated, “This partnership leverages the strengths of each organisation to provide real opportunities for change”.
Minister Cuthbert-Flynn emphasized that rehabilitation is not a one-man mission but that it takes collective efforts and reinforcements.
The State Minister used the occasion to acknowledge the vital role of the HEART/NSTA, thanking its leadership for their continued support in the rehabilitation process of inmates.
“You have not only delivered skills training but have truly understood and supported the mission of the DCS to secure, supervise, rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders as productive, law-abiding citizens,” Minister Cuthbert-Flynn said.
Special commendations were extended to DCS Commissioner, Brigadier (Ret’d) Radgh Mason and his team for their dedication.
“We have already seen positive results from the inmates’ progress and I am sure the best is yet to come,” the Minister of State said.
Dr. Taneisha Ingleton HEART/NSTA Trust Managing Director noted that the signing of the MOU was more than exchanging signatures but the forging of a national commitment to dignity, transformation and opportunity.
The government of Jamaica has recognized the need to reduce the rate of recidivism and as such, MNS/DCS has engaged the HEART/NSTA Trust to support this objective and proposed the provision of training and development of their clients and staff.
This proposal aligns with HEART/NSTA Trust’s Tripartite Responsibilities where the three main responsibilities are to provide developmental services, skills training and adult education, with a mandate to support the rehabilitation of at-risk youth in Jamaica.
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