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Rehabilitation Industries Branch

Rehabilitation Industries Branch     

Empowering Through Skills. Advancing Through Self-Sufficiency.

The Rehabilitation Industries Branch plays a pivotal role in the Department of Correctional Services’ (DCS) mission to rehabilitate and reintegrate inmates and wards into society. By equipping individuals with vocational skills and promoting food self-sufficiency within correctional institutions, the Branch not only reduces operational costs but also enhances public safety and national development.

Through structured training programmes, modern agricultural practices, and value-added production, the Branch serves as a cornerstone of the DCS’s rehabilitation strategy.

Objectives and Targets

The Rehabilitation Industries Branch is guided by five core objectives:

  1. Enhancing Inmate Training

    • Deliver hands-on training in agriculture, livestock, and vocational trades.

  2. Achieving Food Self-Sufficiency

    • Reduce dependence on external food suppliers by producing staple crops and meats internally.

  3. Reducing Operational Costs

    • Cut food procurement expenses through improved agricultural outputs and internal supply chains.

  4. Supporting Community Development

    • Build linkages with surrounding communities via outreach programmes and agricultural partnerships.

  5. Fostering Reintegration

    • Prepare inmates for post-release employment through practical skill-building and certification.

Impact to Date

1. Training & Upskilling

  • 700+ inmates trained in agriculture, livestock care, and agro-processing.

  • Certification programmes in modern farming techniques and agri-business improve job prospects.

  • Literacy and vocational training programmes boost technical competency and readiness for the labour market.

2. Food Self-Sufficiency & Cost Savings

  • Achieved near complete self-sufficiency in the production of eggs, callaloo, and pak choi.

  • Substantial reduction in food costs by replacing low-quality market produce with higher-quality, in-house crops.

  • Broiler meat production is nearing full self-sufficiency.

  • Partnerships with agricultural suppliers have enhanced productivity and cost-effectiveness.

3. Community Impact

  • Surplus food supports local feeding programmes, contributing to national social responsibility.

  • Collaboration with agricultural stakeholders boosts regional food security.

  • Job opportunities for trained ex-inmates support reintegration and help reduce recidivism.

Future Plans

Modernizing Agriculture
  • Hydroponics & Smart Farming: Shift from traditional to climate-smart, high-yield techniques.

  • Drip Irrigation Expansion: Improve water conservation and increase crop output.

  • Livestock Management Enhancements: Upgrade breeding programmes for goats, pigs, and other livestock.

Value Addition & Agro-Processing
  • Establish agro-processing units for meat, fruit, and vegetable packaging.

  • Launch branded food products for internal and commercial use.

  • Train inmates in food safety and quality control aligned with industry standards.

Reintegration & Employment Readiness
  • Forge job placement partnerships with firms in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction.

  • Provide entrepreneurial training and micro-financing for ex-inmates to launch small businesses.

  • Offer certification and accreditation through partnerships with technical institutions.

The Rehabilitation Industries Branch is a beacon of transformation within the Jamaican correctional system. It demonstrates how correctional institutions can meaningfully contribute to:

  • National food security

  • Economic development

  • Offender rehabilitation and reintegration

As the Branch continues to modernise and expand, it remains firmly committed to fostering self-sufficiency, reducing recidivism, and creating viable pathways to productive citizenship.

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