Some inmates at some local prisons with minor fines have been released for the Christmas thanks to the generosity of the Food For the Poor (FFP).

On Wednesday morning, it paid over $237,132.84 to the Correctional Services Department, covering fines for the release of 20 inmates in different facilities across the island.

A press release from the Jamaica Information Service indicated that the inmates are from institutions in Kingston, St Catherine and St Mary and that their release was made possible by the Prison Ministry Arm of the organisation.

The inmates began to be released from Tuesday and include 10 from the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre; two from Fort Agusta and three from Tamarind Farm in St Catherine. In addition, three inmates from Richmond Park in St Mary and two prisoners from the Tower Street Correctional facility in Kingston were also released.

donors

According to the press release, Sandra Ramsey, manager for the Prison Ministry Department of FFP, said that, twice every year, at Easter and Christmas, fines are paid for inmates, who committed minor offences, so that they can be sent home. The money comes from donors in the United States, who give specifically for that purpose.

"The fines we are paying are for people that do petty things. We don't pay drug fines, no cocaine fines, or (drug) exporting fines. That kind of thing we don't do," she said.

life back on track

She said those who are released are also given a stipend by the FFP to pay their bus fare home and the buy their first meal. Ramsey said the men are encouraged to contact the organisation by January and they are then assisted with doing what is necessary for them to get their life back on track.

FFP International also facilitated the release of 40 inmates in Honduras on Thursday as part of International Human Rights Day.

More than 700 inmates have been released from Jamaican prisons through the Prison Ministry Programme since its launch in 2000. In Easter, 18 inmates were released thanks to the programme.