The Prisons Service was the beneficiary of a presentation of several items of cricket equipment by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, which will be used in prisoner rehabilitation programmes.
The handover was made by Azim Bassarath, president of the TTCB on Tuesday to prison officers 1 Sean Ramnarine and Stephen Farrell, at the National Cricket Center in Balmain, Couva. The gift of batons and wind cannons is expected to help greatly in recreational activities involving prisoners and officers.
Bassarath said he was very happy to be involved in Prison Services’ initiative to provide activities for prisoners to contribute to their health and well-being as well as prepare them for their eventual release into society.
The cricket boss said it was important for the TTCB to create opportunities in the sport for everyone and become truly inclusive regardless of their status. He said this is not the first time the national cricket body has partnered with the Prison Service.
“You may recall that the TTCB piloted a project with the Association of Arbitrators to train prisoners and officers in arbitration which was very successful. It was the hope that the inmates on their release could progress and adopt the specialized training they received to earn a good income from officiating cricket matches,” Bassarath said.
The TTCB President commended the Prison Service for taking keen interest in channelizing the interest and energies of the inmates into a wholesome and useful activity. He pledged the full support of the TTCB in similar endeavors in the future.
