The Department of Probation staff, Prison Officers, and members of the Education Department were in a workshop this week at Paradise Cove in which the theme of “Facilitation of Groups” was the predominant topic of discussion. It was explained that groups are a very effective way to rehabilitate offenders and it is the hope of the Probation Department to implement this type of tool to thwart recidivism.

Participants in the workshop

In a closing ceremony held at 4:00 p.m. on November 20, Mrs. Jocelyn Johnson-Carty, Chief Probation Officer, made a few remarks: “I will say that while this training was organized by the Department of Probation, invitations were extended to and accepted by the staff of HM Prison, the Dept of Social Development and the Education Department. Mr. Cleviston Hunte, Senior Probation Officer of the Department of Probation, Grand Cayman, a trained group facilitator, ably facilitated the workshop. Information was exchanged and was well received by all present and every effort was made to have participants engaged in the process. Mr. Hunte took us as a group through topics that included group work theory, principles of adult learning, facilitation tasks, characteristics of a facilitator as well as highlighting the importance of the experiential approach in the group process. We have all grown from this process and all recognize the need of interagency collaboration in fulfilling our department’s mandates.” Mrs. Johnson-Carty said, “I along with the staff look forward to a continued working relationship with Mr. Hunte.”

Also in attendance, representing the Minister of Social Development Mr. Evans Rogers, was his Permanent Secretary Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake. She too had kind words in which she expressed her sincere gratitude to Mrs. Johnson-Carty and Mr. Hunte for organizing the workshop. Dr. Lake said, “I would like to commend the Department of Probation for organizing this workshop and also commend the fact that Mrs. Johnson-Carty extended this invitation to others across the ministry. I am positive that through the work of Mr. Hunte, the participants have a better understanding of the facilitation of groups. Group settings are an invaluable tool in terms of managing offenders especially the problematic ones as well as sex offenders. Less than three years ago, Anguilla did not even have a Dept of Probation and now we have a truly competent staff. In less than three years, the Dept has serviced over 100 offenders and you should be commended for that.” All the participants applauded loudly in celebrating the fact that they have helped over 100 offenders in light of the fact that the department is only three years old.

Mr. Hunte receives a gift from Toya Carty

Mr. Hunte, the lead facilitator, received a gift presented by Miss Toya Carty for his hard work. He was invited to speak and had these words to say: “It was a pleasure being here and I want to thank Jocelyn and the department for the invitation. It was eleven years ago that I was in Anguilla, for my honeymoon, so it is nice to be back to share some of the knowledge I have gathered over the years. I have done a few trainings in my time and this is perhaps the best.”

The work of the Probation Department is very necessary and important and they should be lauded for their efforts during this time when crime is on the forefront of the national agenda. Participants of the workshop were Christine Brooks, Natasha Carty, Toya Carty, Csandre “CJ” Wattley, Christine Faranda, Carl Thomas, Marcia Rogers, Emma Ferguson, Luke Azille, Brian Hull, Vivian Fleming, Jacqueline Connor and Sharifa Wallace. All the participants were handed a certificate by Dr. Richardson Lake and Mr. Hunte.

- Jason Allen

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