Guyana Prison Service kick-starts “Fresh Start” initiative

Aimed at reducing recidivism and supporting the reintegration of prisoners into society, the Home Affairs Ministry has kickstarted its “Fresh Start” initiative under the auspices of the Guyana Prison Service.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn handed over the first package to former female inmate Kristy Griffith, a cosmetologist by profession. The package consisted of tools and products to enable her to provide nail art, facials, manicure and pedicure services, and a variety of hair services at her Station Street salon.
Benn said the gesture was part of the holistic approach to rehabilitation for inmates when they leave the prison system. He further indicated that the programme was also designed to address the criminogenic needs of offenders, who upon successful completion of the rehabilitative pathways will be well equipped for their reintegration as law-abiding and productive members of society.
Technical Officer of the Strategic Management Department within the Guyana Prison Service, Corbin-Cameron said the “Fresh Start” initiative was the brainchild of the Minister. She noted that the aim of this initiative was to promote prisoners’ rehabilitation and their successful reintegration into society by aiding them to be marketable and capable of being productive citizens of Guyana.
In an invited comment, Head of Welfare and Corrections, Marielle Bristol-Grant said that effective rehabilitation was critical to any effort to reduce reoffending by prisoners after their release.
“This initiative gives people who genuinely want to improve their lives a chance to do so by providing tool kits in various training areas – making them job-ready upon release. With these tools, they are better equipped to overcome some of the obstacles that hinder their prospects for employment and job creation upon release and set them on a path to becoming responsible citizens,” Bristol emphasised.
She also stated that there was an oversight committee aimed at reviewing all “Fresh Start” applications, verifying the area of operation and monitoring the progress of the successful applicants.
Griffith was considered for the “Fresh Start Toolkit” based on a number of qualifying criteria while in prison, which included participation in training programmes, conduct reviews, family support, and a post-release plan.
Griffith, a mother of five, thanked the Ministry and Guyana Prison Service for their support upon her release and gave her contact number as 665-5543, for appointments.