Starting Monday, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) will begin distributing kites to inmates to gift to their children for Easter. The program is being run by the Welfare and Corrections Department of the GPS, with the aim of fostering family reconciliation. The initiative will continue until April 7, 2023, and will be carried out at all prison locations in Guyana.
The kites were made by inmates who participated in the Carpentry and Art and Craft programs, which are currently ongoing in the prisons. The Welfare Officers at all locations engaged with the inmates to contact their relatives and invited them, along with their children, to receive the kites and spend some quality time bonding.
The GPS says it recognizes the impact of parental absence from the home and seeks to remind families that their imprisoned relatives can still play a significant role in the lives of their children, particularly during holiday seasons. The Prison Directorate is embracing the transition to corrections and empowering inmates to become better partners, parents, and all-around better citizens upon release.
Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, said that the kite distribution exercise is in keeping with the prison service’s annual Easter tradition and will boost family acceptance upon release. Meanwhile, Officer in Charge of Prisoners’ Welfare and Corrections, Marielle Bristol-Grant, stated that the department’s intention is for children to have positive memories with their parents despite their circumstances, hence the activity.
The kite distribution program is an initiative that not only provides an opportunity for inmates to bond with their children but also helps to improve family relationships and enhance inmates’ overall well-being. The GPS hopes that the program will have a positive impact on inmates and their families and ultimately contribute to their successful reintegration into society upon release.
