This Christmas is one that will see prisoners getting a gift of hope that others on the outside still care.

Living far from their families and children, Christmas is difficult, painful, and lonely. Despite their offences, marginalisation of prisoners does not help with rehabilitation.

Stand Up Jamaica has partnered with Sandals Foundation and Lasco Foundation to provide care packages and treats for inmates at Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, poularly known as General Penitentiary, and at St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre.

We have always partnered with the Department of Correctional Services to organise events, but due to the novel coronavirus pandemic we were unable to celebrate the special day.

Our music laboratory has been working hard to offer a small show with live band performances and presentations delivered by special guests such as Professor Levy and members of the board of visitors and incarcerated people.

We believe it is important to remind Jamaica that prisoners are still humans, and they deserve love and attention. It plays a pivotal role in the rehabilitation process that is important in helping them to use serving time to achieve instruments, such as education and professional skills, for them to be able to function in society when they are released.

Over the years we have provided opportunities for inmates and officers to pursue Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) subjects along with various degree programmes with the help of our partners, and it has been a success with several subjects being achieved. This is a clear indication that there are inmates who are willing to take a second chance at life once they are given the opportunity.

For two years we have inmate students under University of the Commonwealth Caribbean. The first cohort graduated with honours and three more cohorts have successfully started their master’s degree.

We thank the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean for its commitment in paying tuition fees and in sharing an unusual vision of solidarity towards those considered as past redemption. University of the Commonwealth Caribbean has been brave and innovative in its action aimed to give incarcerated people a second chance and the possibility to go back to society as well educated, productive people.

We are glad to be pioneers in changing the lives of individuals who have been shunned by society and the authorities. We believe everyone has a right, everyone can be better versions of themselves, and without a proper system being implemented to rehabilitate those who find themselves trapped on the wrong side of the law, we will continue to face the crime problem we have today.

We are glad to have found along the way several partners with whom we work to promote the idea to fight violence and crime through inclusion and solidarity.

Maria Carla Gullotta is executive director of Stand Up for Jamaica. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or carlajamaica51@gmail.com.