Question & Answer with Mr. John Prentice
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Mr. John Prentice
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Mr. John Prentice is a former Prison Officer in Her Majesty’s Prison. While there he started a program known as the Circle of Peace, a program which he still engages himself in to this day, even as a Taxi Driver. Ron Daniel sat down with Mr. Prentice to find out what exactly is this Circle of Peace, what they have been doing and what we are to expect from them moving forward.
Q: - What is the Circle of Peace and when did it get started?
A:-The Circle of Peace is a program that is geared to keeping youths out of trouble and out of prisons. It started about three years ago through the help of the Honourable Dwyer Astaphan who piloted the program in St Kitts and we formed a branch in Nevis.
Q: - How did your time working at the Prison as a prison officer encourage you to get the Circle of Peace started?
A:-. When I see young people coming to prison in and out all the time in their numbers as repeat criminals is very saddening to me. Some of them keep repeating these crimes until they become people in their thirties and forties coming out of prison. I decided to take it upon myself to do something about it to stop this vicious cycle of young people in prison.
Q: - Can you give us a brief synopsis as to what the Circle of Peace has been involved in since it inception?
~~Adz:Right~~
A:- We visited a number of schools and churches in different villages in Nevis where we spoke to young people about anger management, business management, discipline, the importance of respect both for oneself and for others. This was in an effort to draw them away from crime. We have also been on a host of radio programs at CHOICE FM , VON Radio and WINNFM with ex prisoners where they encouraged them not to follow a path of crime and where they spoke about their experiences in the prison. This was done to help deter young people from following suit. We also went to St Kitts where we visited schools such as the Sandy Point High School, Washington Archibald High School and Cayon High School where we further stressed the importance of avoiding crime at all costs. Last year November we also had a poem competition on “How to keep young people from going into prison” where we had like seven participants. This was also uplifting because we had young people talking out against crime and reminding others that you would never hear about a vacancy at the prison. Recently we initiated the Iron Band Competition with children ranging from the ages of 6 to 13 where in January as well as Easter Monday this week we had two different competitions. This was geared at finding activity where young people can be positively engaged. It was encouraging because in the first competition we had about thirty people from three different bands playing and in the second competitions we had forty people from four different bands. On both occasions we had a huge crowd so it was encouraging to see people coming out and supporting the youth as well as the youth being involved in some positive activity.
Q: - What is the procedure if one wants to be a part of the Circle of Peace?
A:-.Well if one is interested just give me a call 664-9323 or Karim Abdul Ahmed at 667-2169 and we would find out from you what you want to do and how you can be used to help our youths. More hands make lighter work, so we are always interested in finding committed members of the society who could lend a helping hand to the youths.
Q:- What are some of the broad goals of the Circle of Peace?
A:-The main goal is to keep young people out of prison and out of trouble. We aim to do that by hosting a range of programs to keep young people interested as well as having talks with them whether one on one or in a group to keep deterring them from crime. My heart bleeds when I see young people who could be productive members of society locked up in a prison cell. That is why we intend to do all in our power to keep them from prison. We would like to know that as a result of the Circle of Peace Program that the jails are emptier and emptier.
Q:-How have the general public been responding to the Circle of Peace and what can the members of the General Public do to assist you in this worthy cause?
A:- The General public’s response has been very positive. They have turned out to a number of the functions and have been there supporting the youths. We want to stress to the adults to teach the children how to love themselves and to keep reinforcing good values in the children. We are also always looking for sponsors as we continue to host programs and competitions. Money is needed for gifts, trophies and the various giveaways that we have on radio etc. So if there is anybody willing to sponsor such a program simply give me a call.
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Q: - What are some of the future plans of the Circle of Peace organization?
A:-Well in the coming school year, we want to have a school wide competition on the importance of keeping out of trouble and out of prison. We want to keep reinforcing the point that prison is no place for our young people or for anyone for that matter. In September our plan is to have a summer camp with boys from different schools where we have intensive training on some core values such as respect, anger management, education, self control, discipline etc. We want that when these people leave the camp that an indelible impression would have been made on their lives. If there are any parents so interested, they can contact myself or any member of the Circle of Peace.
Q:- You are also a Taxi-man. How difficult is it for you to balance that with your involvement with so many young people in the community?
A:-. Well what I usually do is that when it is time for the young people, I put my taxi duties aside. Young people are important to me and my flexibility as a taxi driver allows me to do that?
Q:-What do you do in your spare time? Can you share with us some of your hobbies or interests?
A: Well you know I am always talking to young people wherever I see them and try to encourage them. I find places where young people lime and go out there and encourage them. I also am a frequent member of my church. I also enjoy dancing.
Q: - Is there anyone that you would like to thank before we end this interview?
A:-. I would like to thank the Honourable Premier, Mr. Joseph Walcott Parry, the Deputy Premier the Honourable Hensley Daniel, the Honourable Robelto Hector and the other members of the NIA for their invaluable support for the circle of peace. Without their support, I do not know where we would be. I would also like to thank Social Security, the Honourable Mark Brantley, Carino Hamilton Development, , Mr. Gregory Hardtman, Ms. Angela Dore, Mr. Miguel Mills as well as the parents that continue to work with their children. I would also like to hank all the media houses for their contribution as well as the hardworking members of the circle of peace. Mr. Trevor Murrain who was an ex-prisoner who helped us with the program and yourself Ron for always being there for us. It would be remiss of me to thank my family for their support. I just want to thank everyone who has made this thing possible and I look for your support. The last thing I want to say though is that we need to tell our children that there is no future in gangs. There are only three benefits to gangs….that is hospital, jail and cemetery.
