Soon-to-be-freed inmates gear up for life after prison |12 September 2013

A group of inmates at the Montagne Posée prison who will soon complete their sentences, have been briefed on the services that will be available to them after their release.
They met members of the After-Care committee yesterday at the prison where they were given details on the help they will receive after leaving prison.
The committee was set up in 2009 with the aim of making provision for services that would address the specific needs of various vulnerable groups such as the ex-prisoners and the clients of the Wellness Centre, which they require to be re-integrated in the society.

Elsa Nourrice is the chairperson of the committee and other representatives are from various ministries and organisations such as the prison, police and community development department, religious denominations, Agency for Social Protection (ASP) and Islands Development Company just to name a few.

The preparatory work for the resettlement of former inmates and clients from the Wellness Centre is carried out in close consultation and partnership with other ministries and non-governmental bodies that can help these groups of people.

During the meeting, prisoners were given information relating to how they will go about finding a job after they leave prison and financial aid from the ASP while they are in the process of looking for employment.

The meeting is also to make them aware of the services they can be given to help them lead a law-abiding life after prison.
The probation services section in the social affairs department has the mandate to provide help and support (after-care services) to both the former prisoners and clients of the centre.