Radical programme to train non-violent offenders -Min. Hamilton

Minister of Labour, Hon. Joseph Hamilton has outlined plans to offer an apprenticeship programme to persons incarcerated for non-violent offences.

He made the disclosure during an engagement with the Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils in Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5) on Friday.

Minister Hamilton explained that while training programmes are offered in prisons, his goal is to get them to partake with commitment instead of using it as a mechanism to “pass time.”

“I want to run an apprenticeship programme for persons who are incarcerated for non-violent offences…We have to humanise the training so that if we bring [the inmates] out, they’ll see the world is a different place, there are still nice people out there, people who care,” he reiterated.

Minister Hamilton highlighted humanisation as the main component missing in training programmes offered in prisons.

Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Charles Ogle, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Mr. Richard Maughn, Chief Co-operatives Officer, Ms. Perlina Gift and other departmental heads were also in attendance Friday.

CEO Maughn has been tasked with reviewing similar programmes offered in The Bahamas and Connecticut, United States of America.

Minister Hamilton revealed that the apprenticeship initiative has the support of his colleague, Hon. Robeson Benn, the Minister of Home Affairs.