Inmates get to work
Mayor hails progress of Port Maria cemetery clean-up, eyes expansion
PORT MARIA, ST MARY — Mayor of Port Maria Fitzroy Wilson says he is pleased with the progress of the cleaning exercise being carried out by inmates at the Port Maria cemetery.
The initiative, which began three weeks ago, is being carried out by detainees from the Richmond Farm Correctional Center.
“I must say thanks to the correctional services. The work that has been done so far is commendable. They are really doing a wonderful job clearing and de-bushing the cemetery. It is going well so far.” Wilson said.
The mayor acknowledged the parish-wide shortage of burial spaces, noting that the Municipal Corporation is exploring several options to address the issue.
“Right across the island there is a shortage of burial spaces. Most of the new developments do not want a cemetery close to them,” he said.
“We have lands marked in Three Hills for a cemetery. We are thinking of a columbarium where we can manage them and it is easier to maintain. We are also looking at public/private partnerships and adding more spots to the cemetery,” he said.
Wilson added that it is the responsibility of the municipal corporation to continue to secure burial spaces.
“It is a work in progress to ensure that people have their rights reserved,” he said.
The programme, he said, is expected to expand to Oracabessa.
“We will be looking at Fort Haldane and Fort Littleton in Oracabessa,” Wilson stated, noting that the corporation already has the commitment of GoldenEye to partner on the venture.
He also hinted that the inmates could take on other parish projects, but said further dialogue with the Department of Correctional Services is needed.
“The idea of them doing other work in the parish is not far-fetched. We are looking at a number of different things I wouldn’t be able to divulge as yet as the communication has not been with the commissioner of corrections as yet. It is something that we are looking at in the parish’s interest,” he said.
Wilson noted that the corporation has identified areas where assistance could be used, including the cleaning of the Annotto Bay and Port Maria drains and the clearing of recreational spaces.
Mayor of Port Maria Fitzroy Wilson says he is pleased with the pace of the clean-up project (Ingrid Henry)
A section of the Port Maria cemetery which is being cleaned by inmates (Ingrid Henry)
