A group of prison inmates in Anguilla posed with delight for a press photograph this week as they prepared for a Small Business Basic Skills workshop being delivered under the auspices of the Anguilla Development Board (ADB).

Prison Supt. Conrad Gumbs (left) with Tutors Kizzy and Wilma and inmates

The ADB, through its Small Business Development Unit (SEDU), agreed to a request from Superintendent of Prison, Conrad Gumbs, to conduct the four-week workshop which commenced on Wednesday, March 22, and will continue until April 20.

According to Head of SEDU, Wilma Vanterpool, the workshop is aimed at preparing the inmates to develop the basic skills which will help them to live productive lives following their release from prison.

“This is what has been lacking at most of the businesses on the island,” she said. “They do not have the business skills and I feel that if I infuse that into the inmates they would be better qualified and able to go out and start a business on their own.” She added that once the prisoners were released the Development Board and SEDU would still guide them in the development of their business.

Upon completion of the workshop, the prison inmates should be able to identify a business opportunity, plan for success, know how to finance their business, complete a market research and how to design a business plan.

Mr. Gumbs expressed gratitude to the Development Board and Mrs. Vanterpool for agreeing to the workshop and also thanked Kizzy Garconnette, a teacher at the prison for negotiating the training.

“Workshops such as this will assist the rehabilitative efforts at the prison in preparing inmates to become productive citizens,” he stated. “Despite the difficult challenges at present, I am optimistic that with hard work we can make a difference. I take this opportunity to wish all participants the best and thank all those responsible for this course.”

Meanwhile, Ms Garconnette teaches English and Maths at the prison from Monday to Friday. She said that in addition to those subjects, she teaches any other subject necessary for the inmates including art. She started teaching at the prison almost a year ago.

Ms Garconnette was originally an arts and crafts teacher at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School and also taught some classes at the Alwyn Allison Primary School at West End and the Stoney Ground Primary School.

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