Mechanic programme held for prisoners

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 10, 2019 (ZIZ News): As part of efforts to rehabilitate the residents of Her Majesty’s Prison, HMP has teamed up with the Advanced Vocational Education Centre to train inmates in the General Mechanic Programme.

From oil changes, to basic repairs for the past two months, inmates have been attending mechanic courses at AVEC to sharpen their existing skills or learn a new trade.

Commissioner of Prisons, Terrance James said this is part of his effort to provide the inmates with practical skills that they can use once they serve their time and re-enter society.

He explained that with the rise in the number of cars on the island the field of mechanics is poised to be quite lucrative.

Inmate Inebo Hendrickson, said he’s grateful to be chosen for the course because this is an area he has always been passionate about.

He said he has also been encouraging other inmates to participate in this and similar courses whenever they are offered.

The classes are held twice a week and to offer further assistance, Commissioner James said he has also been working with institutions to find out if any firms would be willing to employ the inmates after they’ve been released.