Less fights, better cooperation among prison inmates

Superintendent of Prison Algernon Charter has reported that an adult education program which was recently introduced at the Dominica State Prison has resulted in improved behaviour among inmates.

Charter, who presented his jail delivery report at the closing ceremony of the May Criminal Assizes at the High Court of Justice on Thursday, said that the program has been ongoing for two months, and is supported by a young inmate who is a college graduate.

In addition, Charter stated that a Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) program among other educational initiatives have also commenced.

“We have seen less fights … better cooperation in play, work and otherwise,” he stated.

The superintendant said that help will be solicited from the police and others in order to find employment for the convicts after their release, adding “so that they do not further offend.”

Currently, the state prison houses 280 male and three female inmates.

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11 Comments

  1. August 13, 2010

    where we should applaud people for doing good we should… this is a good way to start keep it up and continue the good work it shows that you care for our prisoner and that u would like to see a change…keep it up

  2. patriot
    July 23, 2010

    education does help alot , however,we need to focus more on the spiritual asppect.to all those who play a part in ensuring to change and to enhance the lives of our citizens, i just want to say thank you.it takes time but Rome was not built in a day.

  3. j
    July 17, 2010

    Charter dat thing all you have there is not Prison

  4. July 16, 2010

    USE our inmates to do some of the things like :ROADS SIGNS, Clear the bushes along the road side. TeaCH them to cook, carpentary& masonary a real trade to utilize when they leave prison. Ther`s lots of useful things our inmates can achieve and be come productive citizens. Lets start Now too much talk and no action. I have already playedmy part by making my contribution.

  5. Concerned
    July 16, 2010

    I appreciate and welcome the goods news coming from the State Prison however I am a little concerned about the lack of recognition for other key players that cumulatively resulted in behaviour modification in the inmates. I have gotten the impression from Mr. Charter that all the work done by the Churches, Psychiatric and others like the Drug Abuse Prevention Unit which I know are of tremendous benefit to inmates and the DPS by extention. I mean how chronic behaviours could be resolved in a relatively short time frame as two months? Is this report evidence based?

  6. July 16, 2010

    There is more love in the prison..nice to know..they have scares no more but figure.

  7. George Bush
    July 16, 2010

    When they unite it is then you have to worry!

  8. concern
    July 16, 2010

    The guy who is helping out with the teaching in prison. Should get a job with the prison after his sentences is over.

  9. dominican@heart
    July 16, 2010

    Just want to say charter don’t forget that different churchs visit the prison and are praying for inmates. We so aften tend to put God last and put other things first.

  10. commentator
    July 16, 2010

    What we need is a properly resourced probationary service. Inmates would be released earlier and would have the incentive to improve their behaviour. Upon release we would then be able to keep an eye on those probationers out on licence to ensure that they do not reoffend and end up back in prison and that they can reintegrate back into the society.
    To achieve this we need to have trained social workers and probation officers neither of which we currently do.
    All we have is police, prison and jails that we cannot afford.

    • Jon
      August 8, 2013

      EXACTLY!

      We have the probation system in the UK (I can only comment on England and Wales, not Scotland or Northern Ireland) and although it has it’s failings , of which a minority can prove quite terrible or catastrophic even!, it is a generally good system.

      Prisons dispose of those inmates who are proven not to pose a risk to public safety (and that of property) much earlier than they would if they would have served full sentance , prisons have more room for new inmates ,

      I think we need a whole new overhaul of the Criminal Justice system in general! Rebuild the prison service from the ground up , create actual “careers” for people to work too. Make the Prison Service attractive to people , open up graduate schemes for bright young minds to enter managerial positions. Focus on rehabilitation as opposed to restitution for prisoners, make prison more humane (but don’t make it into a holiday camp like those here in Britain!)

      Implement a probation service and reform the Police Service. I am training to be a Police Officer back here in London and I am almost shocked at how many safeguards , policies and regulations we have here to maintain professional standards and integrity.

      We need that here in da too! Break down the barriers of corruption and misconduct and fix things up.

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