GPS distributes school supplies to children of inmates
As the new school year is set to commence on September 5, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has distributed school items to the children of several inmates via a “Back-to-School” initiative.
The GPS believes that anticipation of a new school year can mean loads of excitement, but at the same time it can also bring a feeling of fear and anxiety for many parents and guardians to provide the basic necessities for their children to return to school.
An inmate with their children during the exercise
It is on this note that the GPS continues to show its compassion and altruism to those breadwinners who are incarcerated by equipping their children with the much-needed supplies for the new academic school year.
The exercise was conducted at all prison locations, where the children benefitted from backpacks, lunch bags along with day care bags stocked with stationery supplies, lunch bowls, water bottles, baby wipes, and flasks.
The initiative was coordinated by the Welfare and Corrections Department as a part of the Family Reconciliation Programme.
According to Officer-in-Charge, Marielle Bristol-Grant, the time could not have been more fitting, and the items were carefully thought out to be most beneficial to the recipients.
The packages were presented to the children by their parents, and it was most important to have them feel a part of the process and to create a positive memory for them, Bristol-Grant emphasised.
Acting Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot noted that the initiative was aimed at ensuring that the beneficiaries are being provided with the basic amenities to attend school. “I think it helps their self-esteem, despite their circumstances,” Elliot said.
“We at the GPS recognise the importance of education. We all know that the greatest asset that could be given to a child is education.” Additionally, the Prison Director expressed optimism that the initiative will motivate the students to get excited about returning to school and face-to-face learning.
