37 remand inmates baptised at Port-of-Spain Prison

Thirty-seven remanded inmates at the Port-of-Spain Prison have been baptised in a religious ceremony aimed at supporting their spiritual development and personal reflection.

The ceremony was held on Tuesday at the prison’s Remand Air-Yard and was facilitated by the faith-based organisation The Way of Holiness.

Commissioner of Prisons Elvin Scanterbury attended the ceremony, along with Deputy Commissioner of Prisons R. Dass, Superintendent of Prisons S. James and Assistant Superintendent of Prisons N. Ramjitsingh.

The baptism formed part of The Way of Holiness’ ongoing religious ministry within the prison system.

Ahead of the ceremony, the organisation’s head, Pastor Wilma Kelly, incorporated teachings on baptism into its regular weekly religious sessions, providing participants with spiritual guidance and preparation.

The baptism was conducted by Pastors Cecil Augustus and Anthony Worrell, with Ruby West and Sybil Ramlal assisting with the coordination and organisation of the event.

In a statement, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service said the initiative demonstrated the contribution of faith-based organisations in providing spiritual guidance and support to persons in custody.

The Service said it recognised the importance of freedom of worship and the role religious organisations play in supporting the spiritual and personal development of inmates.

It added that, through collaboration with faith-based partners, it remained committed to facilitating appropriate religious activities within the correctional environment, consistent with its responsibilities for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons in custody.