Correctional officers back Ramkisoon’s proposal

The Jamaica Federation of Corrections has come out in support of  a proposal by the Head of  the Mustard Seed Communities Monsignor Gregory Ramkisoon to assist in housing females wards of the state who are currently being held at adult prisons.

The Federation represents correctional officers.

A statement from the group says it is of the view that the juveniles require special attention which cannot be given at an adult facility and welcomes Monsignor Ramkisoon's proposal. The officers contend that their jobs has been made very challenging because of uncontrollable behaviour by some of the girls.

According to the Federation, there are 61 female juveniles being housed in adult prisons; 45 are at the Fort Augusta Adult Correctional Centre while 16 are at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre.

A meeting has been planned for Tuesday with the Ministry of Youth and Monsignor Rankissoon to discuss his proposal.

The priest said with the Government's help, his organization is willing to establish a facility for teenage girls who find themselves in trouble with the law.

Monsignor Ramkisoon’s Mustard Seed Communities, along with Children's First and other organizations, have devised a plan to develop a facility where teen girls would be able to engage in education and training programmes.   

The Youth Ministry is not ruling out the possibility of partnering with Mustard Seed Communities.

However, it says there are procedures that need to be followed and the Ministry of National Security would also have a say in the matter.