Youths warned: Don’t fall prey to criminals

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Glenda Jennings-Smith issued this warning to a group of lads at the Youth Training Centre (YTC), yesterday, urging them to embrace positive influences as they seek to rebuild their lives.

She was delivering the feature address at a graduation ceremony for some 17 lads who participated in Module One of the Learning For Life Programme at the YTC in Arouca. Theme of the event was Embracing A New Identity.

The programme, which was first conceptualised in 2009, seeks to provide skills to enable the lads to become successfully re-integrated into the society.

Module One, dubbed the Youth Alpha Course, exposed the lads to moral and spiritual values, which, it is envisaged, would serve as a blueprint for them to lead productive lives.

Module Two, called Freedom Within, was designed to help the lads unearth and address psycho- social challenges. Among other areas, it addresses guilt, healthy masculinity and sexuality.

The third module, titled Preparing For Purpose, equips the lads with practical tools and skills-building opportunities to prevent re-offending.

Saying that the Ministry of National Security will continue to support initiatives to promote restorative justice, Jennings-Smith urged the graduates to capitalise on their strengths, be it in sport or the academics as they move beyond the prison walls.

She also advised that they seek support from their parents and other family members but warned that they should never again be influenced into delinquent conduct.

“Many voices will be calling you on the outside but please listen to the correct voice to serve you. Not the gang leader who is planning for you,” Jennings-Smith said.

“There are many planning for you but you must take the initiative to plan for yourselves. You are responsible for your destination.” Jennings-Smith, a former Assistant Police Commissioner, told the graduates that they must trust in the knowledge they received during the programme when making sound decisions for the future.

She said the Government had recognised youth development as one of pillar objectives - one which offered a future for deviant youths to enjoy a better quality of life.

‘Our youths are not to be left behind,” she said, telling the graduates that the journey to restoration will not be an easy one.

Jennings-Smith also urged civil society organisations to partner with the Prisons Service to rehabilitate lads at the YTC.

Graduate Andre Boodoo, who was among three lads who gave personal testimonies at the event, revealed that he had never liked the Alpha Programme when classes began last September.

However, Boodoo said he thoroughly enjoyed the discourse on faith.

“Faith could help me in my personal life because I never had it in myself,” he said “I began to see success in everything I do and will apply the knowledge gained for my life.” Acting Prisons Commissioner Cecil Duke also spoke.