March 20, 2008 – The Department of Correctional Services in Jamaica (DCSJ) has been relieved of its custodial responsibilities for 18 inmates from four of the island’s adult correctional facilities, thanks to charity organization, Food for the Poor, who paid their fines earlier this week.

The sole female and 17 male inmates, who committed minor, non-violent acts against the State, were released at a cost of over J $600,000.00 including a small stipend for travel and food expenses.

Another donation of over J $28,000.00 was also presented to three of the four institutions to assist in the operation of their tuck-shop.

“Since its inception, Food for the Poor (FFP) has provided hundreds of inmates with their freedom because we recognize the importance of being with family and friends especially during Easter and Christmas,” said FFP’s Prison Ministry Coordinator, Sandra Ramsey. “The point is that everyone deserves a second chance and Food for the Poor is playing its part in this regard,” she added.

St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre recorded the highest number of releases with a total of nine inmates gaining their freedom, compared to 12 being released the same time last year. Five prisoners were released from Richmond Park, three from Tamarind Farm and one from Forte Augusta Adult Correctional Centres.

The new ex-inmates expressed their gratitude for the timely provision made by Food for the Poor. Among them was a 49-year-old male who was about to sell the land he owned and use the proceeds to secure his freedom. “I was sentenced to 18 months or pay the alternate fine of J $75,000.00 for the offense of unlawful wounding which was committed in November 2007. I was so desperate to leave that I was willing to trade all I had to my name- the land I own in the country, for my freedom. That’s why I am so grateful to Food for the Poor who intervened just in time to purchase my freedom and I did not loose my property in the process.”

All the inmates released stated that they were first time offenders who had two options – pay the fine or do the time. For all 18, the latter was the only alternative.
“I simply could not afford to pay the J $111,000.00 I was fined for unlawful possession of and trafficking of marijuana so I had to resolve in my mind to do the time and live with the disappointment and shame I was facing,” stated the sole released female inmate, a single mother of five from Linstead in St. Catherine.

Food for the Poor’s prison releases are conducted at Easter and Christmas each year. The organization does not only pay the fines to free inmates, but also provide them with further assistance to engage in profitable businesses such as Welding and Carpentry.

In 2007, the charity organization paid for the release of 47 inmates.