Prisons leaders pray for inmates

The service has embarked on providing several programmes to help inmates rehabilitate their lives. Such programmes included the hosting of two family days recently, with the first held on Mothers’ Day at the women’s prison, then another on Fathers’ Day at the Golden Grove prison.

Reverend David Chase, president of COPCAM, told prisoners at one of the inter-faith services, the misson of the council was to provide moral upliftment and spiritual services to them.

He said COPCAM was committed to helping prison staff provide for the development and rehabilitation of inmates for their re-entry into society.

Commissioner of Prisons John Rougier visited most of the prisons where he addressed the prisoners. On one of his stops, Rougier urged inmates to avail themselves of the opportunities offered by the prisons administration to assist with their reformation.

At the women’s prison, Rougier asked the women to examine their lives to determine whether they were fulfilling their roles as mothers, sisters, aunts and grandmothers.

He said it was primarily women who were responsible for keeping the family unit together, instilling values and passing on traditions to future generations. He told the women, “Your absence from your homes directly impacts on your families and society. Young people are crying out for your love, support and guidance.” He reminded them that they should consider their actions which influence their families and by extension, the society.

The commissioner implored prisoners to take the messages of their spiritual leaders to their cells, where they should ponder upon them, then use the inspiration given to change their lives.

He further urged them to be strong, disciplined and focused on their spirituality because, he said, therein was their salvation.

Rougier said he felt heartened by the efforts of COPCAM as a body representing various religious denominations.

He told members of the council that their presence at the nation’s prisons “...sent a clear message of unity and harmonising of efforts, that reminded him that there were still people who cared about others and were committed to making the nation a better place.”