A speaker series entitled “Getting to Know You” began at Her Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison Service 3 weeks ago where esteemed men of the community come into HMP Northward to speak to prisoners about their life experience and provide words of encouragement to prisoners. The Director of Prisons, Mr. Neil Lavis started off the series with stories of turnarounds and triumph over obstacles from his own life, his time in the UK Prison Service and most recently, since his move to the Cayman Islands.

Last week, Member of the Legislative Assembly and Councilor Joseph Hew came in to give the prisoners a few words. He noted that his parents were the strength that he leaned on throughout his life. He told the men that his parents did not give him and his siblings a silver spoon but instead taught them the value of education and hard work and ensured that they were loved. He encouraged the prisoners in attendance to not see Prison as the end of the road but as an opportunity to change courses and make better choices in the future. He talked about working hard on their dreams, not giving up despite setbacks. He also talked about the wealth of untapped opportunities there are for small businesses and tradesmen in Cayman.

The series entitled “Getting to Know You” invites other men in the community to share their life experiences with the prisoners. If interested, please feel free to contact Prison Chaplain, Ms. Cathy Gomez at [email protected] or at 947-3000 ext. 256.