Inmates happy with CSEC results

When he had his freedom, the thought of furthering his education was the farthest thing from John’s* mind.

A high school dropout, his efforts were instead focused on surviving the tough inner-city community of Maxfield Avenue while pursuing a career in music. But after a run-in with the law saw him serving a 20-year sentence, John said he had no other choice but to reevaluate his life. He decided to divert his attention towards academics. That decision is bearing fruit, as John is currently overjoyed after securing a grade 3 in the 2026 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. A source inside the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, where John is serving time, said that he and other inmates are still on cloud nine from their achievements.

“It’s a good look man, is seven of them out of about 10 pass English language. Four man do math and two pass. Couple a di man dem do CAPE law and dem sit and study by dem self and dem pass man. Man in here mash up principles of business and dem ting deh. They went to their classes inside the prison and they got materials to study and revise from. I feel really good for them because it shows that they are being reformed. They are really happy and still celebrating,” the source said.

Inmates in Jamaican correctional facilities actively participate in the CSEC examinations as part of structured Department of Correctional Services’ (DCS) academic rehabilitation programmes. These programmes enable incarcerated individuals to study, earn high school-level qualifications, and even transition to tertiary education partnerships. Inmates engage in structured CSEC and CAPE studies covering subjects like English, mathematics, principles of business, office administration, and social studies. The source said John has been incarcerated for a little more than a decade for attempted murder-related convictions. Although he is currently appealing his sentence, the source told THE STAR that John is grateful for the support system.

“English language was like a tester for him and now that he sees that he has the ability, he is motivated to do other subjects such as math and human and social biology. He is happy as he didn’t get a chance to complete high school and he is making much of his life behind bars. Rome wasn’t built in a day so he is just taking things one step at a time,” he said.

*Name changed to protect identity