The National Commission for Crime Prevention (NCCP) has applauded the introduction of the Ministry of National Reconciliation, and the coming on stream of the Prison Fellowship committee.{{more}}

The kudos were given by Assistant Superintendent of Police Frankie Joseph, who, at the Prison Fellowship press conference held earlier this month, said that his organization is seeking to embark on a restorative justice program.

“This is where we will be having face to face mediation with inmates and their families and victims and their families, and we are seeking to bring them around one table, but with the requisite counseling.”

“We have observed that after a court case… the victims are left on their own, and most of the time, they are deeply affected, and I think it is necessary to give some closure because victims are left with a lot of questions.”

Joseph said that in many cases, where young children are concerned, there are major psychological effects, and the hope of this reconciliation is to help the victims pick up the pieces of their lives and move on.

“This program of Prison Fellowship and the Ministry of National Reconciliation fits into what we are trying to do in NCCP, and we are looking forward to working with Prison Fellowship and Ministry of National reconciliation because crime is everybody’s business, so we will all do our best to attack crime in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Meanwhile, Minister of National Reconciliation Maxwell Charles said that his ministry will do all it can to work with both organizations in their quest to bring change to inmates, ex inmates and families of prisoners and victims.

“When we have Godly contact with those who are incarcerated, it does something to them. So all of you here ought to play a role in the lives of those who have been incarcerated.”

Charles, who is also Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs, said that Prison Fellowship and NCCP will help in fulfilling the reconciliation ministry’s objective from a Godly and religious standpoint.

“As Christians, we have, and as religious leaders we have, a biblical mandate to do this because we read in the Bible that its part of our stewardship. Its part of our Christian duty to be involved in prison ministry.” (JJ)