The 400 designer T-shirts are valued at D125,000 and forms the institution’s Christmas and New Year annual generosity.
The presentation ceremony held on Friday at The Gambia Prisons Service Administrative Building at Mile11, forms part of both institutions’ corporate social responsibility, Christmas and New Year.
Welcoming the gathering, Modou Jarju, deputy director General 1 at The Gambia Prisons Service, explained that The Gambia Prisons Service remains open to partners, saying over the years they have been partnering with institutions in different areas both locally and internationally.
He revealed that the GPS mandate is to keep people who have conflict with the law in safe custody as well as to reform and rehabilitate them to be productive members of the society.
“We equally believe this will make our society safe for all. So, in doing our mandate, we cannot do it alone, thus the need for partners and that is why we need partners on board.”
Deputy DG Jarju recalled that they have received and partnered with institutions in the past, which he said, is now paying dividend either through technical expertise or supplements of foods rations to inmates at Mille 11.
He spoke highly of their partnership with Insight Training Centre, saying the centre has trained a number of their inmates as well as staff of the Gambia Prisons Service on life skills to make a decent living.
“My Farm is also training our staff as well as inmates on micro gardening and soap making. All these things are done because we want to make sure that people who are kept here are not here just to feed them like that.”
But, as he put it, to provide them with life skills to be productive citizen in the society.
He also spoke of their engagement outside the country to see how best to improve the condition and provide them valuable skills to make a decent living after serving their terms.
Presenting the items, Gibril Gando Baldeh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Am'harit Restaurant, explained that the idea to extend support to The Gambia Prisons Service, came about during a brief breakfast meeting held recently.
He said that Am’harit Restaurant provided food items, while Unique Fashion provided T-shirts. “These are brand new T-shirts and internationally recognised brands.”
Baldeh revealed that these items would be of immense benefit to those awaiting trial at Remand Wing of the State Central Prisons, saying these are people who still wear their normal clothes.
“Yes, some have the luxury of their families bringing in clothes for them every week or month, but some didn’t have that opportunity as their families might be far away.”
The move, he added, was also part of the traditional Christmas and New Year’s generosity.
Maria Gasso, CEO of Unique Fashion, expressed delight that GPS has accepted their donation, further expressing hope that they will make similar gesture in the future.
