Those are the words of Deputy Speaker and Territorial Member Honourable Neville A. Smith aka ‘Sheep’, who has also put his money where his mouth is.

According to a press release from the Office of the House of Assembly (HoA) on October 2, 2019, Honourable Smith, on October 1, 2019, handed over a cheque of $1,500.00 to Superintendent of Prison Mr Verne Garde to assist in financing the Restorative Justice Programme at Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut.

The programme is part of a strategy to enhance literacy and to help improve the lives of individuals throughout the territory, including inmates at the prison.

According to Hon Smith, the programme is one of his top priority initiatives.

The monetary donation resulted in 15 inmates being awarded $100.00 each for participating in a recently held ‘Literacy Evening’ event which is a part of the Restorative Justice Programme. The funds were donated to each individual as a means of financial support towards their literary journey.

‘Keep striving to get to the next level’- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley

Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) was also present at the handing over ceremony and encouraged the inmates to make the best of their situation and not to remain stagnant.

Honourable Wheatley urged them not to “let this chapter of your lives define who you are and keep on striving until you get to the next level.”

The Restoration Justice Programme is high on government’s agenda in relation to its responsibilities to Her Majesty’s Prison and the mandate to rehabilitate prisoners.

According to the press release, the Government of the Virgin Islands will continue to address these matters in an endeavour to help resolve issues of literacy in the Virgin Islands.