Given the fact that globalisation is now with us and the increasing use of technology to propel sustainable development, Jamaican and other Caribbean enterprises must keep up with their international competitors and customers, while ensuring that their strategies are oriented towards global positioning. With this in mind the Jamaica Observer's Caribbean Business Report is pleased to partner with Growth Facilitators to present an insightful weekly series on CYBERSTRATEGY as a critical success factor in regional business growth and advancement. This week we feature Kevin Wallen of Harvard Law School (Berkman Centre for Internet&Society), Fellow and Director of SSET Cyber-school. Mr Wallen is spearheading a revolutionary rehabilitation programme (SSET) aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and self-transformation. The programme teaches inmates of Jamaica's penal institutions a host of technical skills. SSET is boasting great success. Part proceeds of the Growth Facilitators one-day conference (October 13, 2005) on cyber-strategy for Caribbean Business leaders will be donated to the programme.
The link between SSET, entrepreneurship and the implications for regional development are now explored.

CBR: You have described the SSET Programme as revolutionary, and one which may be used as a model for entrepreneurship, in other Caribbean prisons - Explain?

KW: The SSET programme is one of the most radical and result-oriented programmes that exists today in our prisons. SSET (Students and Staff Expressing Truth) started in early 1999, with a vision to create a cycle of productivity whereby inmates would be empowered through education and self-motivation, and in turn teach others about the principles of SSET. We have been able to sustain a programme that is mostly inmate-driven and that has been able to produce innovative entrepreneurs who are able to make significant (socio-economic and philosophical) contributions to their society. Through teaching the members marketable technical and intellectual skills, we have witnessed the creation of a transformed group of individuals who were originally viewed as society's scourge.
I strongly believe that other Caribbean territories can benefit from adopting SSET, as the model provides positive results on two fundamental levels (i) internal transformation of inmates (ii) fostering entrepreneurs who are prepared to function in the fast-paced global world. But before we export this model to other prisons, we would first need a thorough evaluation analysis conducted on the SSET template.

CBR: We understand that Harvard Law School (Berkman Centre for Internet & Society) is throwing its full weight behind the programme. Why has Harvard Law School chosen to support this initiative?

KW: Professor Charles Nesson, Weld Professor of Law, Faculty Co-Director of the Berkman Centre for Internet & Security, visited Jamaica and observed the SSET programme. When he came into the institution and saw what the inmates were doing, he was so amazed, 'inmates teaching inmates,' how tech-savvy they were and the discipline they showed, that he lobbied for Harvard to become a part of the programme. In addition, the Harvard Law School-Berkman Centre was looking for a project to amplify and when Professor Nesson brought them SSET, they found the concept fitting. Through the support of such a highly-esteemed institution, the programme has been given a global presence which we intend to further magnify.

CBR: Are we creating a new breed of 'high-tech' criminals, or are we honing marketable skills towards building legitimate enterprises for regional development?

KW: We are not only teaching our members how to survive using their brains and skills. There is a strong spiritual side to the SSET programme that focuses on the personal growth and development of the individual. We try to look at all the factors; we want these individuals to understand where they are and why they are there; as individuals we are all first responsible for ourselves and then for each other. We often remind each other that man's greatest struggles begin on the inside and not out, therefore one needs to seek the truth of himself, and not only speak it but express it as well. With this moral understanding coupled with the educational and technical skills, the programme is designed to help create more productive and responsible citizens who probably without proper intervention would have reverted to deviant and criminal behaviour.

CBR: How effective has the SSET programme been in contributing to viable economic productivity of reformed convicts?

KW: Once the SSET members leave the institution, they are undoubtedly in a better position to get a job, or to create economic opportunities for themselves. Each time someone comes in the programme we register them and they go on record. Based on their aptitude, they are enrolled in courses and each course qualifies them for some job, whether video-editing, audio-production, digital landscaping, etc. Six months before they leave, we do a final assessment, to determine what they can actually do from an entrepreneurial standpoint, based on skills. Whatever equipment they need, we try to help them obtain in order to help them get started.
One of our graduates lives in St Thomas; he has started a small graphic design and printing business. He prints business cards, greeting cards, labels and other items. He is currently earning an average of $7,000 weekly using the skills he acquired from SSET. He has also opened a small school, teaching people in his community to read and write, sharing with them the spiritual values of SSET. Another member who was a construction worker before his incarceration joined the programme and learned how to digitally construct edifices. His traditional constructing skills were enhanced by SSET technology training and with his advanced skills he is better able to uplift his own economic status, and add value to the construction industry.

CBR: Is it practical to believe that these enterprises created can significantly lead to sustainable economic growth & development?

KW: I strongly believe that the entrepreneurial endeavours undertaken by SSET members are adding significant value to economic growth and development. One of the long- term goals of SSET is to have each individual who is competent in a specific field (video-editing, music recording, etc.) set up businesses in their community which will in turn provide employment for others. What is important is that the skills being acquired are relevant to today's fast-changing global market. We have already started to create a cycle of productivity, in that each SSET member trains other inmates and if released into society will in turn teach others. If you have enough vision, you can appreciate the multiplier effect this programme will have on our socio-economic growth and progress.

CBR: Seems to me that this SSET programme may be 'exportable' to other territories, therefore shouldn't you be looking at the possibility of trademarking the programme?
KW: We are certainly looking at trademarking the programme. The radical success stories we have had lead us to believe even more than before that this model is a valuable product for export. In addition, we would love to see other Caribbean territories benefit from the principles of SSET, as we all need more programmes boosting entrepreneurship and technological adeptness.

Please email your comments to kdw@kevinwallen.com
Visit the Cyber strategy for Caribbean Business leaders website: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/eon/jamaica

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