Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, on Monday delivered a message of hope and reassurance to youths detained at the Juvenile Holding Centre, pledging strengthened rehabilitation efforts and a more supportive environment to help them rebuild their lives.
During the visit, Walrond told the teenagers that the government remains committed to giving every young person a fair chance to redirect their future.
“You are not bad people. You might have been victims of bad decisions, but your future is still bright,” she said, encouraging them to engage openly about their needs.
She assured the detainees that the State intends to provide them with the skills, support and opportunities that lead to long-term success.
“Whatever it is that you need, we want to hear from you. We are here to make sure that when you leave, you are better equipped and better persons,” Walrond added.
The minister emphasised that the administration sees promise in each youth housed at the facility.
“We are going to make sure that when you leave here, you leave full of that promise — that you become productive members of society,” she said.
Walrond toured the centre to assess living conditions, rehabilitation programmes and staffing, stressing the importance of a setting that protects the dignity of juveniles and supports personal development.
She reaffirmed that her ministry is advancing policy reforms to expand skills training, strengthen psychosocial support services and ensure that the necessary resources are available to guide vulnerable youths onto a positive path.
“As long as you are under our care, we want to ensure you receive only the best,” she noted, reminding the youths that they are not alone.
“You have a government and a minister who will ensure that when you leave here, you leave with hope despite the bad patch you have gone through.”
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