Prime Minister of Domica, Roosevelt Skerrit (L), with evangelist Peter Augustine

Peter Augustine made the suggestions public at the launch of the refurbished prison chapel this week, adding that the skills of the inmates could be utilised to make the institution a self-sufficient facility.

“I believe it is high time that we change prisons as is. No longer should we have prisons where the men are being fed, housed and taken care of. I believe the prison should be one of the most economically viable industries in Dominica,” the outspoken pastor said.

Augustine added that the present system should be changed, even if it means changing laws to accommodate it.

“We have a lot of men who can bring in good money whether it’s through the farm, through the piggery, through the chickens, through the rabbits, through the carpentry, through the blocks, whatever.

“I believe these men should be able to take care of themselves in the prison without government spending one single cent. I think when we are busy trying to send money to the prison, the prison can generate money,” Augustine said.

EC$20,000 was made available to renovate the prison chapel by Canadian missionaries.
The building construction and painting was undertaken by the inmates of the prison.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit admitted that it is difficult to allocate resources for the prison.

“Whenever the State decides that it is going to spend some money to improve the facility at the State prison, then there is an almost total condemnation of the State to opening the resources required on the State prison.
 
“I believe what is happening today will cause all of us in Dominica to do some introspection, to do some reflection,” Skerrit said.

The Prime Minister concurred that the inmates of the lone correctional facility here are multi-talented.