35 more inmates benefit from Anger Management course
─ urged to be ‘ambassadors of peace’
─ 273 inmates across Guyana have graduated from Anger Management programme, 67 are women
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, February 13, 2019
The Guyana Prison Service in New Amsterdam on Tuesday distributed certificates to 35 inmates who have been provided with the necessary tools to better manage their anger and equipped to enter the world of work.
Of the 35 participants, 17 were certified by the Solutions Training Consultancy and Counselling Services (STCCS), for successfully completing a twelve-week Anger Management Course; while the remaining 18 inmates benefited from job readiness classes, organised by Specialists in Sustained Youth Development and Resource (SSYDR).
Officer-in-Charge, Superintendent of New Amsterdam Prisons, Deoraj Gyandat, while addressing the gathering at the Prisons’ Conference Hall, Penitentiary Walk, New Amsterdam, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organisations for their continued support to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS).
Denise Mckenzie, a social worker and one of the facilitators attached to the STCCS, remarked that some of the presentations focused on new ways of thinking and behavioural skills. The inmates also learned the importance of self-respect and understanding their value.
Mckenzie said that for the past fifteen months the Guyana Prisons Service, with the help of its partners, has graduated 273 inmates across Guyana, 67 are women. As a result of the initiative, a large number of inmates have seen remissions on their sentences, while others were paroled.
“Today especially is significant because among our graduates is a prison officer who decided that since she has to be present at the sessions, she might as well make good use of her time. Matron Chancy Caleb-Goodluck is the first officer to graduate from the anger management program.”
Retired Director of Prisons Dale Erskine, who facilitated the work readiness programme, disclosed that the training commenced on December 4 with 21 participants, 19 of whom completed the sessions. The all-male group was exposed to seven life-changing modules and were lectured on topics such as trust building, identifying one’s strengths and weaknesses, developing beliefs and goal setting.
In addition, Officer-in-Charge of Prisoners’ Welfare and Training, Marielle Bristol, reported that there has been a remarkable improvement in the behaviour of inmates and a huge decline in violent practices in several prisons.
The sixth batch of the rehabilitation initiative by the STCCS is expected to commence shortly.
Story and Images: by Kellon Rover.