PRISONS WITHOUT WALLS

In 2009,  under the  Rehabilitation and Reintegration Fund (RRF), the Migration team at the High Commission in Kingston, embarked on a plethora of initiatives, which were conceptualised with the purpose of improving the rehabilitation and reintegration of deportees and local offenders in Jamaica.

Through the RRF, we have invested heavily in helping the Jamaican government improve conditions in lower risk institutions such as New Broughton and Diamond Crest.

Whilst many of Jamaica’s prisons may be perceived as desolate, depressing and demoralising institutions, notorious for their tough environment, lack of facilities, and strict discipline; many might be surprised to know that there are also institutions like New Broughton which has no fences or bars and Diamond Crest that is run more like a school than young offender institutions.

New Broughton is a prison located in Manchester, home to 29 men over the age of 55 years. Despite having no walls or fencing, the last time someone ‘escaped’ was in 1988! The RRF has helped the prison start a poultry farm which supplies the other institutions with eggs and chickens.

Diamond Crest is an institution for girls from the age of 13 to 17. All 39 girls in the institution, are completing full time school with 9 taking their exams this year. RRF funds will be used to establish a home economics centre where the girls can learn to cook and complete pastry making courses.

Although these might be considered small investments they make a significant difference in improving the lives and the outcomes of women and men within these facilities. The British High Commission through the RRF is proud to support the work done by the Department of Correctional Services in improving these institutions.