UPP promises boost to prison reform initiatives

Reformed prisoners are to be put back in the work force with the skills that will give them a winning edge to secure government contracts.
This is according to Damani Tabor, spokesman for the United Progressive Party (UPP), who said that once the UPP returns to the government, it will put prisoners back to work.
“We have something called Enterprise Achievement Programme, and even if you have zero skills, fresh out of prison or whatever, but you have a talent that you would want to leverage, whether it be small engine repair, upholstery or cosmetology, we are going to give you free training in a trade up to the Caribbean Vocational Qualification.
“The government is going to engage in a lot of community projects under the Partnership for Inter-Community Development (P.R.I.D.E.). We are talking about building libraries, retrofitting police stations. We are going to take those same youngsters we gave free training and employ them in the process of rebuilding,” Tabor said. 
He explained the programme will open doors for these skilled individuals to access loans without collateral once they go through the business training.
Tabor said further advancement could be pursued through Real Enterprise Assistance Programme (R.E.A.P), which will encourage innovative and strategic growth areas such as agro-industry or mariculture.
(More in today’s Daily Observer)