THE penal system’s rehabilitation programme, specifically its new music component, has put public spotlight on the privileged within the prisons, with some defending it as a strong example of the power of reform while others criticise it as going over the edge.

Its endorsers, who have flooded the airwaves and email boxes of newsrooms, see it as a positive step towards inmate rehabilitation.

The critics see it as propelling incarcerated prisoners into the public sphere, putting them in a position of influence.

Said one letter writer, the impression is created that “it is cool to go to prison.”

But Commissioner of Corrections Major Richard Reese sees high value in his music programme, saying it was no different from the furniture and paintings that prisoners create, which are then bought by members of the public.

For now, the face at the centre of the debate belongs to convicted rapist Siccaturie ‘Jah Cure’ Alcock, who has been allowed to release two albums that are essentially lobbies for his release from prison – titled Free Jah Cure: The Album, and Freedom Blues: The Testimony of Jah Cure – as well as several singles.

His musical lobby follows rulings by the appeals court upholding his conviction and 15-year sentence.

Reese says all of Alcock’s musical accomplishments while behind bars are completely in keeping with the Rehabilitation Through Music (RTM) programme – which allows first time offenders to record music and shoot videos as well as develop other skills associated with the music business such as producing, arranging, sound engineering, and playing instruments.

RTM also allows low risk offenders – those convicted of non-violent crimes – to perform in person at stage shows.

“Whatever rules apply to all inmates apply to him (Alcock). Every move that he, and any other inmate, makes would be buffered through Correctional Services,” Reese told the Sunday Observer.

The issue, however, revolves around the musician being allowed to market/promote the albums, and other songs – one of which, entitled True Reflection, was penned with the help of a senior policeman in the Jamaica Constabulary, Superintendent Gladstone Wright.

Said another letter writer: “My concept of incarceration is being locked away from society or protecting society from criminals. Once imprisoned, the normal rights no longer apply and your communications are limited to the necessary.”

But, according to Wright, the concerns surrounding this issue have arisen only because people are focusing on the man and not the music.

A third letter writer, espousing somewhat similar views, suggested that it was the critics who were being hypocritical.

“It is my opinion that had it been the reverse, where a Christian inmate did a gospel song and it had similar success, those who are criticising the Department of Corrections would be doing the opposite,” said Miguel McDonald.

Wright, commander at the Half Way Tree police, defended his commercial collaboration with a convicted rapist as an extension of community policing.

“We are not oblivious to the stigma attached to persons who are alleged to have committed crimes and we know this has caused some concern. But what we have tried to do is focus on the programme and not the person,” said the senior cop.

“From where I sit we have to contend with persons coming up to go to prison, those already in prison, and those returning to prison … as such we have had to take on community policing with a stronger focus and this is definitely part of that,” he told the Sunday Observer.

“There are individuals that we felt could ignite the programme better than others and Jah Cure is one of them. I’m sure that many youths on the corner have found some relevance in the lyrics and have found something to identify with from his songs.”

For Superintendent Wright, detractors of the RTM programme are overlooking the fact that criminality is reinforced behind bars and as such it is necessary, he said, to provide the inmates with some access to the outside world to both limit this criminal reinforcement and hope for change when they leave prison.

As to the money generated by the programme, Superintendent Wright said funds go back into the RTM programme, as well as to a United Nations fund to help feed the starving in Niger, and the Police Officer’s Club sponsored basic school programme.

When asked whether he has received any compensation for his contribution to True Reflection, he told the Sunday Observer: “The intellectual property rights of all persons involved in the programme will be observed and protected.”

He did not elaborate.

Another hot button issue is Alcock’s interviews with several media houses, as well as his being seen in plain clothes in his video.

“Based on the photographs shown in the media, Jah Cure is dressed in the finest clothes and jewelry,” said letter writer Michelle Francis.

“In the USA, once one is sent to a maximum security prison, the standard dress is prison issued jeans or overalls. one has to be careful of the message sent to the youth of today who are highly influenced by entertainers and their music.”

To that, Reese said Alcock’s interviews and his dressing informally in his video are only apparent privileges.

The prison boss said all inmates are permitted to have at least one suit of civilian clothing that they may wear at their discretion, and that all inmates are permitted to conduct interviews with the consent of Correctional Services.

The correctional services, he added, also reaches out to the victims of criminals they attempt to rehabilitate.

“We try to make sure the victim is included in the programme,” said Reese.

“If we feel it is necessary, victims are contacted and asked how they feel about what we’re doing and then we try to make the best decision possible.”

In the instant case, however, it was the rape victim, Reese told the Sunday Observer who contacted the prison boss after she saw the interview and had concerns about the public protestations made by Alcock.

Reese claimed, however, that after he explained his department’s position on rehabilitation, she was mollified.

davisv@jamaicaobserver.com