JAMAICA is one step closer to achieving real rehabilitation.

A memorandum of understanding between the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), human rights group Stand Up for Jamaica, and the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) provides an invaluable opportunity for inmates to pursue an associate degree online, while serving their sentences.

In the spring semester of 2020, five full scholarships were offered to four inmates of the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre and one correctional officer, to pursue Associate of Science degrees in Business Administration. Each scholarship was valued at $300,000 per year and the associate’s degree is a two-year programme.

Sonia Davidson, head of department for business administration at UCC, told the Jamaica Observer that the feedback from both inmates and educators has been enticing.

“Our educators are amazed at the dedication and effort these candidates make to be prepared for classes, do assignments, and pass all their assessments. This we have achieved through well thought out logistics, where other students are not even aware that these candidates are in challenging locations or situations, and [yet] still pursue their courses without disruption,” she said last Tuesday.

“The inmates are happy for the opportunity, so too the correctional officers who are improving their qualifications and skills for promotion in the service,” Davidson continued.

The first cohort completed their studies within the stipulated timeline, and achieved GPAs of 3.5 and above — out of a maximum 4.0.

The second cohort consisted of three inmates and one correctional officer from the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, and three inmates and one correctional officer from the South Camp Rehabilitation Centre for females.

They recently completed their programme in April 2023. A third cohort from the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre is expected to complete their programme in December 2023.

Cohort four is currently being planned for September 2023, and qualified applicants are now being screened for acceptance.

Davidson noted that the UCC further extended its “corporate social responsibility” by supporting those graduates who wished to move on to the bachelor’s degree programme.

They have the opportunity to complete that level by doing an additional two years, and some graduates from cohorts one and two commenced this level since May 2023.

The university supports these inmates with a grant of $40,000 each per semester for the programme.

Davidson told the Sunday Observer that not everyone in a correctional centre is bad or cannot be reformed.

“Some are there for an unfortunate circumstance that led to a committed sentence. We as educators should make every effort to help those with potential to be prepared for the outside. Of the inmates that started this programme with UCC, four have been granted parole and are retaking their place in society. They are now better prepared to get a job or start their own venture,” she said.

She argued that if more companies or entities came on board, more inmates will be able to receive scholarships.

“The UCC scholarships cover full tuition at the associate level. There is more needed, though. The students need resources — books, et cetera — which Stand Up for Jamaica struggles to afford. Help is needed, and we welcome other organisations who wish to get on board and play their part to make this even more successful for the future.”

Executive director of Stand Up for Jamaica Carla Gullotta told the Sunday Observer that undoubtedly, prisoner re-entry should be understood as a critical piece of any society.

“We are proud of them. I strongly believe that this programme is empowering the inmates. The idea is also to engage mainly those who don’t have a very long sentence. So, going back to society with a bachelor is very useful for them, their reintegration and the possibility of applying for a qualified job,” she reasoned.

“Plus, most of them decided to continue and achieve a master’s so UCC deserves to be commended to the max because they have been cutting 40 per cent of the fees for that.”