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Head of Prison Administration, DeCarlo Payne and Head of Inmate Activities, Philip Walters accepting a gift from members of the Miami Beach Dolphins during a brief presentation ceremony at HMP Dodds. (C.Pitt/BGIS)??

Several male and female inmates involved in the prison’s art and sewing programmes, respectively, are now better equipped to showcase their creativity thanks to the Miami Beach Dolphins.

Last Friday, the local retirement group which comprises returning nationals and retirees donated art supplies in the form of paint brushes, paint, palettes, bristle board, two sewing machines, fabric and cotton to Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds in St. Philip.

Assistant Superintendent, (Head of Prison Administration), DeCarlo Payne, who received the gifts, lauded the initiative and stated that the Barbados Prison Service was receptive to more of this type of benevolence, especially as it was looking at more ???community inter-facing’.????

??"The Barbados Prison Service is always grateful for any opportunity that would lend itself to work with our counterparts or social groups in any sphere of rehabilitation within the organisation.?? It is groups, like the Miami Beach Dolphins, that we want to salute especially for their sterling contribution in the development of persons

incarcerated…part of our Mission speaks to our duty, and that is to look after persons with humanity, and encourage them to live useful and law abiding lives in custody and on release," he emphasised.

Mr. Payne said they hoped to achieve their objectives through the development of dedicated, professional, well-trained and motivated staff, other stakeholders and focused rehabilitative programming.

"Our strategic policy is clear as it relates to our Mission, and therefore we at H.M.P Dodds understand the purpose and significance of the donations at this time…I, therefore, want to challenge all of Barbados to get more involved in this type of philanthropic activity"

Public Relations Officer of the Miami Beach Dolphins, Yvette Sargeant, stated that, at first, the organisation was just a social group, but they wanted to make it more meaningful.?? She explained that they raised over $2,000 through a sponsored swim, and they were looking for an organisations that they could contribute to as it was important for them to ???give back’ to the community.

Public Relations Office at the Prison, Ryan Phillips, said this year the Prison Service was seeking to launch their "Second Chances" programme, a new initiative aimed at placing more focus on rehabilitation as part of its prison week of activities, which runs from October 14 to 21. "We salute organisations like the Miami Beach Dolphins that understand the importance of giving prisoners the opportunity to turn their lives around," he noted.

theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb

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