The State Minister in the Ministry of National Security , Rudyard Spencer says plans are underway to have former juvenile offenders reintegrated into society.

He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for a multipurpose building at the South Camp Juvenile Remand and Correctional Centre on Thursday.

According to the Minister, the multipurpose building will contain three classrooms for girls at the centre. He says educational opportunities will be provided for technical and vocational training.

The project is known as “A New Path: Promoting a Healthy Environment and Productive Alternatives for Juvenile Remandees and Offenders, it was implemented by the Organisation of American States, the Trust of the Americas with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development.

It is said to have assisted more than 2,200 youth and has offered training to more than 1,400 young persons. Of this number, more than 200 have been given access to economic opportunities.

This has resulted in a lowered rate of repeat offenders.

The multipurpose building will host one Information Technology Room and Cosmetology Room to assist the young girls to access jobs in these fields.

More to come in Major Stories on CVM Live.

– Khadijah Thomas