242 prisoners from 3 countries released under FFTP’s Prison Ministry Programme

A total of 242 non-violent prisoners will this Christmas experience the joy of freedom, all thanks to Food For The Poor (FFTP) and the compassionate donors who have steadfastly supported the charity’s Prison Ministry Programme.
FFTP has, for over two decades, been committed to transforming lives and fostering hope by facilitating the release of non-violent offenders; providing them with a second chance to rebuild their lives.
For all that time, FFTP has been honouring the tradition of securing the release of non-violent offenders twice a year by paying their accumulated fines, at Christmas and at Easter.
Many who were arrested for stealing to feed their families, or for something that would be considered a minor offence, were later held in some of the most notorious prisons in Latin America and the Caribbean, being unable to pay the fines for their release.
“At Food For The Poor, we believe in the power of redemption and the inherent dignity of every human being,” FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine has said. “Our Prison Ministry Programme is not just about paying fines; it’s about restoring hope and offering a path to redemption for those who have made mistakes,” Raine explained.
“By reuniting these individuals with their families during the holiday season, we aim to inspire positive change and break the cycle of poverty and despair,” he declared.
Between November, 9 and November 15, a total of 237 prisoners were released from six different prisons located in the northern and central parts of Haiti. In Jamaica, four prisoners were released on Dec. 13, and one was released in Guyana on December, 18.
Herline, a native of Terrier-Rouge, Haiti, who has three children, was admitted to Cap-Haitien civil prison in November 2021, accused of stealing four basins. Initially, she was expected to be imprisoned briefly, but her stay was extended to two years, and she lacked legal representation.
Poverty, civil unrest, and gang violence in Haiti have taken a toll, making day-to-day living nearly impossible for destitute families in that Caribbean country.
The released inmates have each received a hot meal and drink, rice, beans, and canned fish to take home; and money to cover travel expenses to get home.
When, on November 10, Herline was released because of the intervention of the Prison Release Ministry, she expressed her gratitude to FFTP. She hopes the charity will continue to assist other prisoners in similar situations.
In Jamaica, each newly freed person received a food package and travel money to return home. One of the inmates released was a 47-year-old operator of an aluminium fabrication business. Charged with fraudulent conversion, he began serving a nine-month sentence on October 4 because he could not afford to pay a $200,000 fine.
“I prayed about this moment from the first night I spent here,” he said. “It was on the concrete. I woke up like every 20 minutes. Your hand is your pillow, the floor is cold, and you are wondering about your safety. That sleepless night brings you to a point where you must pray. Prayer works.”
This former inmate has said he is happy to be reunited with his family, and to get back to earning an honest living.
“I am going back to complete the unfinished jobs I had out there,” he said. “My children are my motivation.”
In a ceremony at the Prison Service Headquarters in Guyana, FFTP-Guyana CEO, Kent Vincent, said the charity has a heart for people.
“We believe that when individuals are incarcerated, especially for minor offences, they deserve a second chance,” Vincent said. “This is an opportunity for you to do good for others, and I hope you make the right decisions going forward.”
Augustine, who was imprisoned for a minor offense of larceny and his inability to pay the required fines, expressed gratitude to FFTP for the chance to celebrate Christmas with his family, particularly with his son. After the ceremony, he received a hamper containing personal care items, a Bible, and a loaf of bread.
Prison Welfare Officer Dawn Summers has said she is optimistic that the Guyana Prison Service’s training programmes would help with Augustine’s rehabilitation and lead to his making better decisions in the future.
To support FFTP’s Prison Ministry Programme, checks payable to Food For The Poor can be mailed to 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073. Please include reference number “SC# 074122” to ensure your donation is correctly routed, or make an online donation here.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty, primarily in 17 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
This inter-denominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance.
For more information, please visit FoodForThePoor.org.