NCB helps fund prisoners Christmas treat
Published:Saturday | December 10, 2016 | 11:16 AMCorey Robinson
The National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation has donated $100,000 to the annual Christmas treat put on for inmates at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston.
The treat has been a welcome fixture on the inmate's calendar for the last five years and is arranged by Steadman Fuller, the custos of Kingston, and his lay magistrates.
In addition to Christmas gifts, inmates who have displayed good conduct are allowed a 10-minute visit with relatives, including their children, during the treat and fun day.
The children are provided refreshments, rides and stationery to make postcards for their incarcerated family members as they await their turn to see them.
"It's about bringing some joy to the inmates. We know that they are locked away from society but we still think that they, too, deserve some joy, and we wanted to bring them some for the Christmas season," said Sheron Tate, service quality manager at NCB.
"The spirit of giving is evident with the exchange of gifts and good cheers, and NCB Foundation, I believe, captured the spirit of giving by assisting with the fun day," added Tate.
This year's treat will be held on December 15, and a specific programme will be introduced for inmates who have been without visits from relatives and friends for some time.
"I believe it is an excellent gesture for a wonderful cause. It has been six years since we started this and it has been going very well," said Fuller.
"Inmates do come out after serving their time and some of them are released with nowhere to go.
"What this initiative is doing is restoring those family bonds. It is part of the rehabilitation of these inmates in preparation for their release," added Fuller.