Board of Education, UWIFIC donates e-learning devices to His Majesty’s Prison

By Aabigayle McIntosh

Inmates at His Majesty’s Prison, who are pursuing studies with the Lifelong Learning Unit within the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWIFIC) continue to receive assistance from good Samaritans in order to facilitate their studies.

The inmates were yesterday gifted with three brand-new laptops complement the Board of Education (BoE) in conjunction with Lifelong Learning Unit.

The Unit was established in 2011 and is aimed at exposing adult learners in the workplace to a diverse range of options to further boost capacity and sharpen their skills.

At His Majesty Prison, the program is facilitated through an initiative called Seeds of Hope

Executive Director of the unit Paula C.M Lee said the program was designed to provide a second chance to the inmates who are sometimes forgotten or discriminated against because of whatever wrong they may have done.

“They have potential, they have a soul, they have a heart, they have needs they have expectations and so within the Seeds of Hope program we are offering them the opportunity to study professional development courses so when they exit this institution and are re-integrated into society life will be easier for them”, Lee said.

Lee stressed that learning is important no matter one’s circumstances.

Financial Administrator at the BoE Chet Jacobs said the statutory organization is pleased to partner with the Lifelong Learning Unit and the Seeds of Hope Initiative.

“I am really happy to be here to demonstrate that the BoE is committed to continuing education, not just within the school system but here at the Prison also,” Jacobs said

Prison Superintendent Trevor Pennyfeather said there are over 200 inmates at the facility who are in need of rehabilitation instead of being disregarded.

He said in addition to their online courses, inmates at the prison will also be exposed to vocational training within the coming months.

“We have a lot to do here in this institution and having the support of private citizens will go a long way. We cannot rely on the government alone,” the prison boss said.

He also explained there are looking forward to greater things to come.