Incarcerated dancehall veteran Ninjaman desires the Jamaican authorities’s help in spearheading a jail rehabilitation program.
In a four-page letter addressed to Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Chief of the Opposition Mark Golding, the deejay shared that the ample expertise and abilities of inmates are solely going to waste beneath the present rehabilitation system.
“One ingredient that’s lacking from the system in Jamaica is an establishment to rehabilitate those that have been incarcerated. We can’t deny that nobody was born a felony; all infants have been born harmless beings. The system created criminals, whether or not by way of their upbringing or the ills of society. It’s crucial that we create a system to assist the people who find themselves locked as much as obtain self-reliance.
“Now we have nice tradesmen (mechanics, body-work skilled, carpenters, furnishings makers, and many others.) in establishments throughout Jamaica who merely get up within the mornings, take a bathe, get fed, play soccer and get again into lock-up. There are quite a lot of unused abilities which can be going to waste. I really feel that I being institutionalised ought to be extra than simply for punishment. I’m not right here to purchase weapons or kind gangs, I’m right here to alter the mindset of the youth and I’m asking the federal government to help me with restarting a rehabilitation programme that I’m prepared to spearhead,” the deejay said within the letter.
Ninjaman mentioned he’s already communicated his ideas and concepts to the jail’s Superintendent and the Deputy Commissioner of the jail and has requested a gathering with each. He mentioned he additionally needs to fulfill with Prime Minister Holness, the Minister of Nationwide Safety Horace Chang and the Chief Justice Justice Bryan Sykes.
In 2017, Ninjaman was discovered responsible of the 2009 homicide of Ricardo Johnson. The deejay, whose actual title is Desmond Ballentine was sentenced to life in jail, with the opportunity of parole after 25 years.
Opposition chief responds
In response to Ninja Man’s letter, chief of the Opposition, Golding agreed with the incarcerated musician, stating that emphasis ought to be positioned on the significance of rehabilitating people within the jail system.
Outlining that the deejay’s perception is “worthy of significant consideration with a view to motion,” Golding mentioned he believes the Authorities ought to embrace and discover the concepts outlined by the entertainer.
“Your insights, stemming from first-hand expertise, are worthy of significant consideration with a view to motion. The problems you’ve raised relating to the insufficient consideration to rehabilitation, and the shortage of post-release employment or different income-earning alternatives, are urgent issues that demand the fast consideration of the Authorities, with help from the Opposition and Civil Society.”
Golding additionally highlighted his willingness to assist facilitate rehabilitation efforts.
“I due to this fact hope that the Authorities will facilitate a bipartisan and inclusive course of to maneuver this matter ahead. I’m prepared and prepared to play my half.”
Golding thanked the deejay for his willingness to spearhead the rehabilitation efforts and inspired him to maintain pushing his agenda.
“Your dedication to spearheading a rehabilitation program is commendable, and I’m prepared to have interaction in discussions on how we are able to make this imaginative and prescient a actuality. I settle for that observing the situations first-hand can be necessary for us to realize a better appreciation of the challenges and the potential options, and I’m prepared to be a part of that course of. If invited, I’m additionally prepared to take part within the conferences that you’ve requested with key stakeholders, together with the Prime Minister, Minister of Safety, Minister of Justice, and the Chief Justice,” Golding’s assertion learn.
