MINISTER of state in the Ministry of National Security Rudyard Spencer has reiterated his call that incarcerated persons should leave the penal system transformed.

Addressing the opening session of the ‘We Transform’ sports day, held at Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Centre in Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Tuesday, Spencer said juveniles must make the best of the reform process while they serve time.

“… We want to ensure that you leave here significantly better than when you came. We want to ensure that when you leave here you are ready for the open society, to make your contribution,” the state minister told the juveniles.

The ‘We Transform’ initiative is being implemented through the Department of Correctional Services in four juvenile centres, for the rehabilitation and reintegration of youth offenders.

The programme has mentorship and internship/job placement segments, and an annual competition and exposition where youth can showcase their talents.

It is operated on a partnership approach involving the private sector, individuals, and interest groups such as the Organization of American States, and the United States Agency for International Development.

Commissioner of Corrections Ina Hunter said a lot was put into staging the sporting event, and it is designed to help the participants develop their leadership skills, and to teach them how to “win with humility and lose with grace”.

Other partners of ‘We Transform’ are: Tastee; the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited; Creative Media and Events; Hawkeye; Jamaica Money Market Brokers; Operation Save Jamaica; Hylton Powell, attorney-at-law; Caribbean Industrial Systems; Dot Creative Design Photographs; and Famfun Entertainment.