Make Rehabilitation Programmes Mandatory – Minister Mayne

Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, the Hon. Zavia Mayne says inmates’ participation in rehabilitation programmes in correctional facilities should be mandatory.

While delivering the keynote address at the recent Passing Out Parade for the 82nd Intake of Correctional Officers, he explained that although the Department of Correctional Services is responsible for caring for and rehabilitating inmates, rehabilitation efforts also require input from Jamaica’s Courts.

“The participation of inmates in rehabilitation programmes is however voluntary, and so we continue to urge the Courts that as part of sentencing, to make orders for inmates to participate in suitable rehabilitation programmes”, explained Minister Mayne.

He added that the 63 new correctional officers will aid to protect the public from dangerous actors, deter crime and help carry out justice for those who have been wronged by criminal elements.

“The stability of this country and the safety of its citizens depend on a coordinated system of distinct agencies and entities that constitute the country’s security apparatus. Within this apparatus, the DCS is the state agency primarily concerned with correctional Management – ensuring the Department is run by competent, well-trained, highly motivated and disciplined staff,” he said.

The Minister pointed out that during the last recruitment process which spanned a total of 12 intensive weeks, a new curriculum design was implemented at the Carl Rattray Staff College in St. Ann, where correctional officers are trained.

“Carl Rattray has recently modernised its curriculum, and you are among the first recruits to benefit from this improved training. This means, from the Government’s perspective, we are looking to you to help carry DCS into the future, by advancing national security and bringing prestige to the profession of corrections”, said Minister Mayne during his charge to the officers, noting that they will engage in continuous training and upskilling throughout their career.

“We are currently looking at ways in which we can standardise and incorporate additional training into the career trajectory of all correctional officers”, he continued, adding that staff will be able to garner additional skills and qualifications which will be beneficial for their professional advancement outside of service to the DCS.

“The promotions policy within the DCS is now finalised so you can feel comfortable that there is now a transparent process for promotion. The process is no longer arbitrary at the whims and fancies of a superior”, he concluded.

Core areas of the new curriculum design include but are not limited to training in emergency response, systematic search techniques, use and application of defensive tactics, risk assessment and rehabilitation coupled with courses on human rights and Jamaica’s legal framework to include the Penal and Court systems. The training was also offered in the areas of fire safety and prevention, narcotics, conflict resolution and emotional intelligence.