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Home Press Release Inmates and Correctional Officers to Receive Scholarships from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean

Inmates and Correctional Officers to Receive Scholarships from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean

Press Release

The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean will provide six scholarships for inmates and Correctional Officers to pursue the Associate Degree in Business Administration valued at more than two million dollars annually, to the Department of Correctional Services for a period of two years.

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of National Security through the Department of Correctional Services, The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean and ‘Stand Up Jamaica’ yesterday.

Two inmates and one Correctional Officer from the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre and two inmates and one Correctional Officer from the South Camp Adult Correctional Centre are the beneficiaries.

Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, The Honourable Zavia Mayne who delivered the address, expressed his gratitude to the partners for the scholarships. “I want to say thanks to the UCC and ‘Stand Up Jamaica’ for your continued support since the inception of this programme. This opportunity gives persons who committed a breach of the law and have since been confined, an opportunity to redeem themselves so that when their time comes to an end, they are in a position to return to society and it gives them greater ability to reintegrate.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Corrections, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Gary Rowe highlighted the significance of the partnership that will befit inmates and Officers. “This ongoing partnership signifies our commitment to higher education and rehabilitation for inmates in our care as well as the importance of high-quality welfare of the officers within our institutions. These inmates are being given the advantage of accessing higher education to be able to positively contribute to the growth and development of our country upon release,” he said.

The pilot of the scholarship programme with the UCC and ‘Stand Up for Jamaica’ began in 2020 with full tuition for four inmates and 1 Correctional Officer at the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre. The participants have since completed their degree with a grade point average of 3.5.