Women inmates show off their baking after graduating on Saturday.

Fifteen inmates at the Women’s Correction Centre received their certificates over the weekend for successfully completing a basic baking and pastry course as part of their rehabilitation.

The inmates were specifically selected after having undergone phase two of the four-phase rehabilitation framework which all inmates go through during incarceration.

Phase One of the framework focuses on discipline which basically deals with prison rules and foot drills; phase two narrows down to Personality Enhancement where inmates undergo specifically tailored programmes to address their offending behavior.

Phase three of the rehabilitation framework which involves up-skilling of inmates aims to equip them with life-long skills that will allow them to sustain themselves and their families after incarceration.

Saturday’s graduation was phase three for the 15 women and on display were delicious pastries and cakes which they had learnt to bake during the week-long course.

Assistant Commissioner (Operations) Sairusi Gauna told the women that education played such an important role in the development of one’s life.

“Education starts from the womb and ends in the tomb. The skills you have learnt in this past week you will take with you when you get out of here. Make use of it. It could be an opportunity for you to find employment when you return to your families,” Mr Gauna said.

FCS Director Rehabilitation Superintendent Viliame Bulewa reminded the women that the FCS is serious about rehabilitation and their successful reintegration into the community.

“That certificate is not for decoration. Nothing happens without a purpose. The ball is now in your court.

“All our efforts will be futile if the desire to change does not come from within yourselves. We can have programme after programme but if you are not willing to change, then it is all a waste,” SP Bulewa said.

He added the FCS is trying its best to achieve the mandate given to it by Government which is to reduce the recidivism rate by 25 percent come 2014.

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