Inmates Complete Substance Abuse Programme

Mr. Speaker, the mission statement of the Department of Corrections is “to administer sentences imposed by the Courts under conditions of safe custody and well-ordered community life so that convicted persons can lead good and useful lives on discharge. To empower inmates to be responsible and productive citizens.”

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members and the public will be familiar with the prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse within the Island’s prison population and indeed throughout Bermuda.

In many instances, these issues are at the centre of the criminal conduct that has ended in a sentence of imprisonment. Therefore, one of the most important programmes within the Corrections framework is that which addresses the problem of alcohol and substance abuse.

Mr. Speaker, this programme is designed to:

• Motivate offenders to take responsibility for their actions,
• Change negative self-concepts, and
• To break patterns of substance abuse and criminal conduct through behavioural treatment approaches.

The programme not only educates offenders about the destructive nature of drugs and alcohol, it also informs an inmate on how to avoid potentially dangerous situations where drugs or alcohol may be involved.

The aim is to provide the skills necessary for recognizing and resisting social pressures and this in turn helps offenders develop skills in risk assessment, decision making and conflict resolution.

Essentially, Mr. Speaker, the programme is a critical building block in the Department’s mission to empower inmates to be responsible and productive citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise this Honourable House that on Tuesday of this week, five inmates of the Westgate Correctional Facility were recognized for the successful completion of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Education Treatment Programme.

They are:

• Kendrick Zuill
• Marico Bassett
• Dwayne Beach
• Kenneth Zuill, and
• Randolph Simons

Mr. Speaker, each of the three phases of the programme requires active participation on the part of offenders and the modules include a strong emphasis on “lifestyle change”. The phases are:

• 1. Challenge to Change – building knowledge and skills for responsible living
• 2. Commitment to change – strengthening skills for self improvement, change and responsible living, and
• 3. Taking ownership of change – lifestyle and healthy living

Mr. Speaker, the programme is facilitated by Mr. Curtis Mitchell and forms an integral part of the management of inmates and those issues presented after being sentenced in Court.

Mr. Speaker, this programme is complimented by the intensive, residential facility located at the Co-Ed Prison known to Honourable Members and the public as the Right Living House.

This programme also readies inmates for a return to society, better equipped to deal with the challenges of drug and alcohol abuse.

I can advise this Honourable House that I will be in a position shortly to provide and update on that programme and the progress made in positively impacting the lives of the inmate participants.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the Commissioner of Corrections, Colonel Edward Lamb and Actg. Assistant Commissioner Mr. Kenneth Cann for their leadership in this area which is bearing results of which the community can be proud.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Read More About