Carmona calls for justice that ‘heals rather than bleeds’

“Crime is never a one-way street.” Carmona said, “It is about all of us, the failure of all of us to be our brother’s keeper by giving everyone an even and fair chance to succeed to aspire and to dream. The establishment of a library at the Port-of- Spain Prison is a telling and undeniable symbol and manifestation of the fervent and eternal hope of visionaries in our society that were prepared to do something rather than talking about doing something.” “Education is the key that opens not any door but all doors. This initiative recognises that it is in society’s best interest.

that when person’s leave prison, they must leave being better men and women than when they were incarcerated for what they had done” Carmona also called for the support of corporate bodies to support the philosophy of restorative justice, by being willing to hire ex-offenders, and taking on children and young adults from challenging communities .

The prison reading and library project is the brain child of the Children’s Ark, a non-profit organisation which focuses on “at risk” children .

The Children’s Ark recognised the loss and disadvantage that young children experienced with the imprisonment of their parents .

The group partnered with Prisons Commissioner Sterling Stewart and other stakeholders to transform the upper level of the Port-of-Spain Gaol, where death row inmates were held.

into the library. The library is expected to have furnishings and specially recommended books, selected by its director.

Debbie Jacobs so children can read to their fathers, and fathers to their children .

The Children’s Ark also intends to construct similar facilities in the Women’s Prison at Arouca