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Corrections department receives $1 million from UNICEF Jamaica for COVID-19

Published:Thursday | May 28, 2020 | 3:28 PM
From left: Alexander Causwell, advisor/consultant in the Office of the Minister in the Ministry of National Security; Ella Ghartey, Policy Director and We Transform Programme Manager; Mariko Kagoshima, Country Representative UNICEF Jamaica; Lt. Col. (Retired) Gary Rowe, Commissioner of Corrections; Claudeth Hamilton, Director of Juvenile Services and Dexter Thompson, External Alliance Specialist at the Department of Correctional Services – Contributed photo

The Department of Correctional Services, through the Ministry of National Security, yesterday received a donation of $1,000,000 from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica for COVID-19 preparations in juvenile institutions.

The department says the donation will be used to purchase nebulisers for asthmatic children, personal protective equipment including eye protection, gowns, gloves and mask for correctional officers,  thermometers, medical disposable bins, chemicals for sanitation and tablets to facilitate online counselling and classes.

"UNICEF is very pleased to support the DCS with the provision of these essential supplies. This is critical for the protection of children who are among the most vulnerable, and for the officers who have been taking care of them since the onset of COVID-19. We hope to continue supporting the efforts of the DCS as they serve these children,” said Country Representative at UNICEF Jamaica, Mariko Kagoshima. 

Commissioner of Corrections Lieutenant Colonel  (Retired) Gary Rowe said the department welcomes the continued support from UNICEF Jamaica. 

“UNICEF Jamaica has been a long-standing supporter of the department and we are indeed grateful for the support given to our children and officers. It is commendable that even in these challenging times they continue to assist with COVID-19 preparations in our correctional centres.”

UNICEF Jamaica has been partnering with the department for over 19 years.

One of the most noted programmes is the Children First Life Skill Programme implemented in November 2014.

The programme was designed to equip the children in two juvenile institutions with life skills, barbering skills and to improve their chances of a successful transition post release.

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