The Antigua and Barbuda government wants more land at His Majesty’s

Prison

brought into agricultural production as part of a wider reform of the country’s correctional system.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said Thursday that Cabinet discussed expanding productive activity at the prison farm during its meeting Wednesday.

Merchant said Prime Minister Gaston Browne called for additional lands to be brought under production, with greater emphasis on growing food crops and rearing livestock.

“The Prime Minister called for additional lands to be brought under production and for greater emphasis to be placed on the cultivation of food crops and the rearing of pigs, chickens and other livestock,” Merchant said.

The proposed expansion forms part of a broader prison reform initiative as the Antigua and Barbuda government prepares for additional demands on His Majesty’s Prison following the passage of tougher sentencing measures.

Merchant said Browne also called for increased emphasis on rehabilitation and skills-development programmes aimed at preparing inmates for productive reintegration into Antigua and Barbuda society.

The prime minister directed the attorney general and relevant prison authorities and officials to develop a comprehensive prison reform programme within 30 days for Cabinet’s consideration.

Merchant said the government is also planning for the possibility of an increase in the prison population as a result of the strengthened sentencing framework.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda Government Wants More Land Used for Farming at His Majesty’s Prison.