Food for the Poor helps in freeing more than 200 non-violent prisoners for Easter
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – The interdenominational Christian ministry, “Food for the Poor”, says it has been able to secure the release of non-violent prisoners in several Caribbean countries for the Easter season.
Food for the Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations, said it had been able to secure the release of inmates in Guyana, Jamaica, Haiti and Honduras.
Food for the Poor said that it has worked to free 256 inmates for Easter, including four from Guyana, 232 in Haiti, nine from Jamaica and 2 from Honduras.
“I understand if a person commits a crime they must face the consequences of their actions, but the majority of these first-time offenders are being locked up with hard core criminals for weeks, months and even years at a time because they cannot afford to pay the minimal fines for their freedom,” said Robin Mahfood, President and chief executive officer of Food For The Poor
Each inmate released this week in Haiti received a hot meal, a 100-pound bag of rice, personal care items, and a monetary gift for transportation home.
In Jamaica, nonviolent prisoners were released from Hunts Bay Police Station, and Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston, and the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre in Spanish Town.
Each newly released person received words of encouragement, a hot meal and personal care items.
“We serve a God who is very merciful,” said Mahfood, adding “we can only pray that each prisoner who was released will recognize that our Lord is a God of second chances”.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/FOOD-POOR2016-03-26T12-22-40
No comments:
Post a Comment