KINGSTON, Jamaica — Human rights group, Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ) has announced that 82 per cent of inmates that sat this year’s Caribbean Secondary Certificate Examinations (CSEC) under the prison school programme earned passes in at least one subject.

According to a release from the group today, a total of 54 inmates from the Tower Street, St Catherine and Fort Augusta correctional facilities sat exams including Math, English, Human and Social Biology and Social Studies.

SUFJ, through funding support from the European Union, has been operating the prison school programme for the past five years.

The release added that the programme has been successful with more inmates registering for classes and signing up to do more CSEC exams.

“The commitment and work of the warders at the various correctional facilities has been vital in the success of the prison school programme. The partnership of the Department of Correctional Services and the Ministry of National Security has also been instrumental in the achievement of the inmates,” it stated.

“This means they will more readily reintegrate into the society and reduce the risk of reoffending. We are very proud of the inmates and will continue to support them as they prepare for life after prison,” said Executive Director of SUFJ, Maria Carla Gullotta.