One of what is probably the most misunderstood agencies of Government is taking this week to reach out to the community.
The Cayman Islands Government Probation and Aftercare Unit is celebrating Probation and Parole Week to let you know just what its staff members do.
Their top clients include the courts and offenders charged with crimes.
The mission statement is simple: ‘The Department of Probation and Aftercare is committed to the implementation of the rehabilitative mandate of the court and parole board through social work intervention, quality supervision, innovative programmes and treatment plans, to assist our clients to be more productive citizens while reducing the level of offending behaviours and promoting public safety.’
But they can’t do it alone.
They need our help.
Community rehabilitation is a large part of what the Probation and Aftercare Unit is charged with.
Community rehabilitation allows offenders to remain in family relationships, pursue productive lifestyles and participate in programmes of rehabilitation that are often more available in the community.
Without each of us – individuals and businesses – community rehabilitation wouldn’t be possible.
A close relationship with a parolee’s family and the community increases the chances of his or her success significantly.
Offenders who are serious about turning their lives around need to be lifted up by everyone and given that second chance.
The community also needs to be cooperative when those who are trying to turn their lives around look to area businesses for employment.
Time and time again offenders trying to get back on the right track return to lives of crime because they can’t get a job.
Many times those trying to rehabilitate feel they have no other option but to return to crime to survive.
But we think that offenders under the care and supervision of the staff at the Probation Aftercare Unit should be given a chance at employment.
It is logical that those offenders truly trying to get their lives straightened out would be good employees, if not better than someone already on staff.
They have so much more to lose than other employees.
Again, the community needs to offer assistance when offenders are given community service as a sentence.
It’s a way an offender can make amends by giving something back to the community through personal efforts.
Throughout the week the Caymanian Compass will carry articles about the Probation and Aftercare Unit.
We urge everyone to take some time, participate in this week’s events and learn more about what the unit’s staff does and how it benefits you.
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