Inmates pass through rehab programmes

(CNS): As part of the goal to improve prison rehab service a number of inmates recently completed a number of behaviour modification and drug-education programmes government officials have said. Described as self-enhancement opportunities these programmes are said to be offered on an on-going basis at HMP Northward in areas such as education, technical-vocational training, as well as stress- and anger-management. The intervention groups involve prison staff as well as external agencies such as Cayman Against Substance Abuse (CASA) and the Department of Community Rehabilitation (DCR).

Other services include twice-weekly Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Job-placement and rehabilitative programmes are also available at the female prison, HM Prison Fairbanks.

Deterrent measures also underway include making presentations to local high school students. In addition inmates completed the Interpersonal Relationship Enhancement and Awareness Programme and the Stress Management Programme a 12-15 week initiative allowing participants to explore their personal experiences of stress, then identify and develop sustainable coping strategies and action plans.

The Interpersonal Relationship Enhancement and Awareness Programme is comprised of 14 psycho-educational sessions which help participants to explore themselves, improve communication and relationship skills, while enhancing their understanding of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Speaking at a recent informal ceremony at the prison the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs’ Acting Chief Officer Kathryn Dinspel-Powell said: “To see you functioning well in society would be the best indicator that we’re doing our job successfully. We have a responsibility to prepare you for the way forward, so you don’t come back here,” GIS reported in a release.

Prison Director Dwight Scott described the programmes as a “restructuring process” to help the inmates reflect on how they ended up in prison where they are going and how to change course.

The prison’s Forensic Psychologist Davina Aidoo said that rehabilitation is dependent on the interest and involvement of each inmate: “The objective is reducing recidivism, by addressing interpersonal-issues which need attention,” the expert stated.