Prison Officers Celebrate Divali
Divali Programmes form a calendar event in our nation’s prisons; deya lighting, puja, even song and dance are a common part of those programmes, but such celebrations are held for inmates and are a consequence of the hard work and preparation by prison officers. However on Sunday 26th October ’08, a very different and significant Divali Programme was held and; it was red lettered day for the Trinidad & Tobago Prison Service.
Prison Officers from various prisons throughout the country donned their Khaki and walked the Catwalk modeling traditional East Indian Garb and competing for the title of Divali King and Queen. More importantly, it was the first time in the history of the Prison Service that a Divali Programme was held for Prison Officers and; the lights from Deyas illuminated the grounds of the Prison Sports Club, Arouca.
The programme commenced with a Lakshmi Puja which was officiated by Pundit Mukram Sirju, President of the Inter-religious Organization (IRO) followed by lighting of Deyas then a formal programme which included entertainment from the renowned Shiv Shakti Dancers and Cross Culture Crew. However, the highlight of the evening came when the Divali King and Queen Competition move away from traditional shows by mandating contestants to perform an item of their choice while demonstrating the similarities between Divali and Restorative Justice.
The contestants rose to the challenge, each with their own composition, performing song; poem; speech and even monologues. It was an opportunity to showcase a very different side of the Prison Officer, one that is rarely seen outside the prison walls. The evening climaxed with the Port of Spain Prison copping first place in the Queen Category with representation from Prison Officer Alicia Charles-Smith. There was a tie for Divali King with both Women’s Prison and Golden Grove Prison representatives Prison Service Driver Chaitram Rampersad and Anthony Octava respectively taking first place.
Guests included Prison Officers and their families, Prisons Stakeholders and Residents of the Arouca Community. The programme was all inclusive in that there was something for everyone; members of the audience participated in the Pick a Pan Feature, Sundar Capra Feature as well as, Several Door prizes were won.
Prisons Commissioner John Rougier said, while the programme was a dream of past Commissioner Hercules, he believes that now is the right time since the light of restoration and Divali is needed now more than ever in the Prison Service. He advised that such programmes targeted at officers serves to bring greater unity and collaboration among staff and was heartened by the large turnout by officers and their families.
Rougier encouraged officers to let Divali awaken the light of consciousness within so that they can be guided in their actions both personally and professional and; such actions would manifest itself as they support the Prison Service in its mandate to transform the lives of inmates and protect the citizens of Trinidad & Tobago by keeping inmates safely behind bars.
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Prisons’ receives two Thumbs Up for
Pubic Education Programme
On Wednesday 2 April ’08, the Trinidad & Tobago Prison Service was announced the proud winner of the Prime Minister’s Award Innovating for Service Excellence under the category Breaking New Ground. A total of 48 Government Ministries / Divisions submitted projects for consideration in five categories. The presentation ceremony took place at the Queens Hall, Port of Spain.
Submissions for the Breaking New Ground Category were expected to recognize the powerful impact original thought and innovative action can have on service provision by challenging traditional methods. Projects were to target new policy or techniques and; deliver methods that generated either significant organizational or service improvement. Submissions were expected to include evidence to support claims of the project’s success and; projects must be a first for the Organization.
Commissioner of Prisons John Rougier explained, the winning project, themed, ‘Behind Prison Walls’ was a public education initiative emanating from one of five strategic priorities formulated to propel the transformation of the Prison Service. The Relate strategic priority focuses on restoring public trust and confidence in the Prison Service and; improving stakeholder relationships and public education. Rougier said these objectives were used to guide the public education programme which was launched in June ’06, and continued intensively for four months.
Prisons’ Communications Specialist Sharon Ramsaran explained, ‘Never before had the Prison Service employed a public relations strategy and each initiative was very significant since it represented a first for the Prison Service. The programme sought to make citizens and communities’ advocates in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders through information sharing. Inmates were directly involved in the programmes and Prison Officers played an integral role.
Some of the initiatives comprising the Behind Prison Walls public education programme included
- 11 Public Outreach Programmes throughout T & T
- Production of Behind Prison Walls stakeholder newsletter
- Two 6-part Radio Series featuring Interviews with Inmates on I95.5fm
- 12 part Radio Series titled, ‘Women Behind Bars’ on Power 102.1fm
- 4 part Radio Series titled, ‘Lock Down’ on Red 96.7fm
- Inmate Interviews on Radio Shakti 97.5fm
- 4 part Television Series on NCC Channel 4
- Nationwide Youth Mentoring Programme
- Secondary School Tours of Youth Training Centre (YTC)
- Inmate column on the Probe Newspaper titled, ‘No Holes Barred’
Ramsaran said, a ‘Shared Responsibility Approach’ was adopted to implement the programme whereby the Prison Service collaborated with key stakeholders to support the various initiatives, including Media houses who played an important role as they partnered with the Prison Service to offer space and time to highlight initiatives and activities and; broadcast interviews. Several Malls and Corporate Citizens extended their facilities to host the outreach programmes and sponsor resources as well as, Government Ministries and agencies.
The Prison Service takes this opportunity to formally and publicly thank the Ministry of National Security for its ongoing support and commitment to the transformation of the organization and; to the following who contributed to the success of the Behind Prison Walls programme.
Radio Stations: Power 102.1fm, Red 96.7fm, I95.5fm, Shakti 97.5fm
Print Newspapers: Guardian, Express, Newsday, TnT Mirror, Probe, Bomb
TV Stations: NCC TV Channel 4, TV6, C, CNC3, IETV, Gayelle
Government Agencies and Ministries: Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, Sport & Youth Affairs, SWMCOL, Arima Borough Council, Pt Fortin Borough Council, Tunapuna Regional Corporation, City Gate
Corporate Citizens: Panel Kerr Foster; TSTT; RBTT; Mid Centre Mall, Centre Point Mall, Long Circular Mall, Carlton Centre |
Prison Officers Get Promoted
Twenty-five Prison Officers received their letters of promotion on Valentine’s Day at the Maximum Security Prison during a promotion ceremony. The promotion takes retroactive effect from 27 July ’07. As Senior 2nd Division Officers, they said ‘I do’ to accepting more responsibilities and joining the prison administration in driving prison reform initiatives.
John Rougier, Commissioner of Prisons said, the Prison Service has been working to upgrade, strengthen and increase its manpower through several key actions. Three officers were promoted to Prison Supervisors and twenty two to Prison Officers II. Rougier advised that the promotions will make way for acting opportunities for other officers while the administration is on a recruitment drive to address the staff shortage.
Rougier admonished the officers, promotion comes with greater responsibilities and they will now be required to take the mantle of leadership to assist in moving the service through its transformation. The Commissioner also encouraged officers to lead by example and pursue continuous development through education, which will allow for opportunities since there is a demand for highly trained persons in various knowledge and expertise within the Prison Service. |
