The move comes after these inmates successful completed skills training on electrical, solar and satellite installation. Present at the ceremony includes representatives from Ministry of Higher Education Research Science and Technology, United Nations Development Programme and MRC Holland Foundation, among other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Ansumana Manneh, Director General of The Gambia Prison Services, highlighted that the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) rule 4, stated -"The purpose of a sentence of imprisonment or similar measures derivative of a person's liberty are primarily to protect society against crime and reduce recidivism."
"Those purposes can be achieved only if the period of imprisonment is used to ensure, so far as possible, the reintegration of such persons into society upon release so that they can lead a law-abiding and self-supporting life. "
To this end, DG Manneh reminded that prison administration and other competent authorities should offer education, vocational training and work, as well as other forms of assistance that are appropriate and available, including those of remedial, moral, spiritual, social, and health-and sports-based nature.
"All such programmes, activities and services should be delivered in line with the individual treatment needs of prisoners".
Thus, he said, the graduation has proven their collective efforts towards fulfilling this rule as well as other relevant rules governing the prisons.
He, however, congratulated the inmates on their achievements and challenged them to contribute towards rebuilding society and contribute their quota towards greater national development.
“When you walk out of here-whether tomorrow or years from now-you carry with you the power to rebuild, to contribute, and to inspire others. Let this achievement be the first of many steps toward a better and a brighter future."
The Gambia Prison boss equally stressed the need to address the public perception towards Prison Administration especially in the way ex-inmates are being perceived.
Thus, DG Manneh noted that society must learn to see former inmates not as threats, but as citizens who have paid their debt and are ready to rebuild.
Ismaila Ceesay, Principal, Insight Training Institute, revealed the 20 inmates receiving their certificates was possible after undergoing Solar and Electrical Installation 11, Satellite Installation 5 and access program grade 12 private WASSCE results 4.
“In the year under reviewed Insight Training Centre was able to conduct access program classes for the grade 12 private WASSCE examination funded by the Justice Defenders that will give the inmates the opportunity to re-sit their grade 12 exams conducted by WAEC while in prison, which will give them the access to enroll for degree programmes.”
Ceesay said that, the Centre has now graduated a total of 298 inmates from 2012 to date in different skills areas and out of this number, only 14 are still in prison, 13 in Mile Il and one in Janjanbureh.
"Most of the ex-convicts are either employed or self-employed. 3 of the former inmates are employed at Insight, one of them is at managerial level."
Mrs. Henritte Brummer Sonko, Netherlands Consular, also echoed similar sentiments, disclosing plans to expand the skills center to a six classroom to create room for more inmates to learn skills and contribute their quota to national development outside prison.
In his vote of thanks, Mr Jatta on behalf of the graduates, thanked officials of The Gambia Prison Service and partners for the gesture, while calling on President Barrow to pardon reform inmates.
