The Department of Correctional Services (DCS), under the leadership of Commissioner of Corrections, Brigadier (Ret’d) Radgh Mason, proudly took centre stage at Jamaica’s 63rd Independence Grand Gala on August 6, 2025, at the National Stadium in Kingston, making history by mounting the Guard of Honour for the first time in the Department’s 50-year history.
One of the ceremony’s symbolic moments came early, when Deputy Commissioner of Corrections, Ms. Joyce Stone, participated in the ceremonial handing over of the National Flag to the Most Honourable Prime Minister.
Corps of Drums
Setting the tone for the celebrations, the DCS Corps of Drums captivated the crowd with its rhythm and ceremonial skill. Originally formed in March 1996 with approximately 25 correctional officers from various institutions, the Corps was re-established in September 2024 under the leadership of Commissioner Brigadier (Ret’d) Radgh Mason, with guidance from Director of Music Mr. Albert Shaun Hird. Through their performance, the Corps of Drums proudly heralded the Department’s presence to the nation.
DCS Display Team – Symbolic Formations
Following the stirring drum performance, the DCS Display Team impressed the audience with a series of formations that showcased discipline, skill, and the Department’s mission to secure, rehabilitate, and reintegrate lives.
- Arrowhead Formation
A striking symbol of focus and forward momentum, representing the DCS stepping boldly into a new era under Brigadier Mason’s visionary leadership. - 1975 Formation
Honouring the year the Jamaica Prison Services, Probation Service, and Approved Schools were unified into the Department of Correctional Services. Today, the DCS manages 10 correctional and remand facilities, including 7 adult and 3 juvenile centres, as well as 16 probation offices islandwide. - DCS 50 Formation
Celebrating 50 years of securing, rehabilitating, and reintegrating lives, marking the Department’s golden jubilee. In celebration, the DCS will host its Corrections Expo on October 17–18 at the National Arena, a free public event featuring music, exhibits, and products made by inmates, highlighting the transformative work behind the walls of our institutions. - Emergency Response Training Demonstration
Showcasing how Correctional Officers manage high-risk situations safely and effectively, the exercise highlighted the Department’s commitment to order, safety, and protection, even under the most challenging circumstances. - Handcuff Formation
Symbolising the journey from confinement to transformation: “They come to us in handcuffs, but we provide the keys to freedom.”
Through structured rehabilitation programmes, individuals gain renewed focus, purpose, and a second chance at life. This formation reinforces that corrections is about transformation, not just confinement.
Discipline, Skill, and Legacy
From the Guard of Honour to the intricate formations, every movement told the story of the DCS’s transformative work:
- 50 years of securing lives
- 50 years of restoring hope
- 50 years of national service
- 50 years of building a safer Jamaica
“DCS 50: Excellence in Securing, Rehabilitating, and Reintegrating Lives for a Safer Jamaica.”
As we celebrate our golden jubilee, the DCS remains steadfast in its mission to protect, rehabilitate, and inspire hope—building a stronger, safer Jamaica for generations to come.