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.
The Rehabilitation Industries Branch is guided by five core objectives:
Enhancing Inmate Training
Deliver hands-on training in agriculture, livestock, and vocational trades.
Achieving Food Self-Sufficiency
Reduce dependence on external food suppliers by producing staple crops and meats internally.
Reducing Operational Costs
Cut food procurement expenses through improved agricultural outputs and internal supply chains.
Supporting Community Development
Build linkages with surrounding communities via outreach programmes and agricultural partnerships.
Fostering Reintegration
Prepare inmates for post-release employment through practical skill-building and certification.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
