Walsh bowls for juvenile offenders

The Courtney Walsh Foundation has partnered with the Department of Correctional Services, along with the help of the Ministry of Security and the British Government's Department For International Development to assist juveniles in some of the island's penal institutions.

Speaking at yesterday's official contract signing between the foundation and the government agency, commissioner of Corrections June Spence-Jarrett said the work done by Walsh and his team has already started to bear fruit.

"The impact has been tremendous. We have seen some solid results in terms of the impact it has had on them (the juveniles). (We are seeing) the discipline and the attitude towards supervision and attitude towards themselves and it is also building their self-esteem. As for the girls they have just started and we have also seen some positive impact on them and we look forward to a continued relationship with the Courtney Walsh Foundation," she told the Observer.

The charity-based organisation focuses on popularising softball, Street20 cricket for children in volatile inner-cities islandwide, as well as disability cricket and also a young offenders programme, which would allow the teaching of the game and aid in juveniles' rehabilitation. Institutions located at Tower Street, Tamarind Farm, Rio Cobre and Diamond Crest are all currently participating in the programme.

Walsh, who is a fastbowling legend, said it is essential for persons in these facilities to not feel as if society has abandoned them.

"It (the programme) is very important because when they come out of the correctional centre we are trying to encourage and educate them and integrate them into society. It's important that we sort of reach out to them from now so that they don't feel left out and we want to make them feel relaxed," said the former West Indies captain.

Added Walsh: "I went down by the Rio Cobre some time last year and I've done this kind of charity work in England and I thought why not try this at home and we have seen some good signs so far."

Programme director Brian Breese expressed delight at being able to implement cricket as a recreational activity in the institutions and has praised the feedback he has got from wards and staff alike.

"I'm delighted with this attempt of using sport to try to rehabilitate young offenders and the response has been splendid, not just from the wards themselves, but also from the staff we have been dealing with. Each of the programmes is supposed to go on for three months and we are dealing with about 20-25 locations and I'm surprised at the number of cricket talent inside these institutions as well," he said.

Vice-president of the foundation Billy Heaven informed the Observer that adults are also able to benefit from this initiative. "It goes beyond the financial contribution. We are working with adult as well as juvenile correctional facilities and we hope that cricket will work as a medium of change in behavioural attitude, (and) in the conduct of these offenders so that they can come back into society as useful men and women," he said.

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