ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — At least six inmates at the Black River police station lockup on Friday benefited from a pre-Father’s Day celebration allowing them to see their children.

The initiative organised by head of the St Elizabeth police, Superintendent Coleridge Minto, took place early Friday morning.

“This event was part of our celebration of Father’s Day… as part of the broader celebration we incorporated a small section to recognise some of the fathers who are in our custody and to allow for their children and spouses to visit with them and to share with them for a few minutes,” Minto said.

“The event went incident free. We did have consultation on the matter. We spoke with even the lawyers for the accused persons who are in our custody and we got the kind of endorsement to have this event,” he added.

He said among the inmates was a father who did not see his child after the toddler was born.

“We are very pleased with it . We are very happy that the spouses turned out with their children and they were able to bond even for a few minutes in celebrating Father’s Day,” he said.

“It is just a joy to see a father hugging his child hugging his child for the very first time in their years and when he indicated to me that when he was locked up his baby mother was pregnant. He has never held this child before… that was a very touching moment to watch him embrace his child as we promote family life,” added Minto.

Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck, while addressing an event in Black River, commended Minto.

“… What he initiated to allow a number of fathers to see their children, it is Father’s Day on Sunday and you know it is so appropriate that he has highlighted the need for these fathers who have got into difficulties to see their children and to see that their fathers are okay in some way, but hopefully they can go straight in the future,” said Chuck.

— Kasey Williams