Fourteen inmates from the Richmond Farm Adult Correctional Centre became the institution’s first batch of graduates from the Department of Correctional Services’ Probation Aftercare Services Step Out and Strive (SOAS) Programme. (Add date)
The intervention programme was developed to provide prospective parolees as well as other eligible inmates with a viable mechanism to aid the process of their rehabilitation and reintegration; through anger management courses, as well as entrepreneurial and conflict resolution skills training.
Guest Speaker for the event Rev. Wanel Alexander, encouraged the inmates to use their experiences to become better men. “Don’t view your current situation negatively or as failure but use your life experiences along with the lessons learned while completing this programme as an opportunity to be better men and fathers when you return to society.”
An elated SOAS graduate described the programme as inspirational. “This programme has change my entire outlook on life, I have more positive thoughts.I can definitely say I have become a better person, and I deeply regret the mistakes that brought me here, but I don’t regret coming here. I have changed and I’m ready to contribute to society in a positive way.”
