Inmates with Her Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison Service (HMCIPS) put their carpentry skills to work, building a wagon that was featured in Saturday’s Pirates Week Parade (12 November 2016).

Members of the prison workshop built the float at the request of the Cayman Islands’ Civil Service Association Co-operative Credit Union, around the event’s theme, “age of romance.” The float won 1^st place for the corporate float competition.

During the parade the wagon was used to portray an old Caymanian wedding scene with a bride and groom in a horse drawn carriage.

Prison Service Human Resource Manager Raquel Solomon said for three weeks the group of men laboured to complete the job.

“This project was a great challenge for the inmates, because it was something different from the products they normally produce,” Ms Solomon explained. “This project included extensive woodwork and metal work, as the arches for the canopy were manufactured on site as were the axle and wheels.”

She said the prison workshop is a great outlet for the inmates that allows them to collaborate with others and demonstrate the breadth of their skills.

Prison Service Custodial Manager, Mr. Richard Barton, responsible for the vocational technical programme, said he was pleased that the team of inmates and an officer could help Credit Union pull off their vision.

“This project showcased the ingenuity and creativity of the inmates,” he said. “I believe with guidance, great things are possible. Not only do the inmates earn wages, but it’s a creative outlet for them, and plays a part in the rehabilitative process.”

Photo Captions:

Inmates Build Wagon 1: Officer Marlon Watson & Prison Service Custodial Manager Richard Barton shows off the “HMP” engraving on the wagon.

Inmates Build Wagon 2: Officer Marlon Watson & Prison Service Custodial Manager Richard Barton tries out the wagon.

Imamates Build Wagon 3: Prison Service Custodial manager Richard Barton, Officer Marlon Watson with members of the prison workshop who worked on the wagon.

Wagon in Pirates Week Parade: Credit Union won 1^st place in the corporate float competition at the Pirates Week Parade on Saturday.