Bicycles created by Westgate inmates serving life sentences have been gifted to five of the Island’s students in recognition of their hard work in school.

“When I heard about this, I cleared my calendar — Corrections needs all the support we can give them,” Premier Michael Dunkley told the gathering yesterday at the Department of Corrections headquarters.

The bikes were made by prisoners serving life sentences who volunteer for the charitable group Lifeline.

Working in the prison’s metal shop, the inmates put together five bicycles using parts salvaged from the airport dump, along with donations from staff.

A similar donation was made for Christmas, 2013.

“You deserve this recognition today,” Mr Dunkley told the group, represented by Lifeline president Kenneth Burgess with fellow inmates Jay Dill, Phillip Bradshaw and Victor Roberts.

Mr Dunkley said he was impressed “not only with the work they have done, but their commitment to do something that makes an impact and a difference”.

Commissioner of Corrections Edward Lamb said the department’s mandate was “not just locking people up”, he said. “We have a duty to offer opportunities to our inmates to give back to our community,” Lieutenant Colonel Lamb said. “This is really not about bikes. It’s about what our inmates can give to our society.”

“It’s a nice thing, just to see the expressions on the children’ faces,” Mr Roberts said.

Asked what he had learned about bikes, Mr Bradshaw joked: “I’m from Jamaica. You learn all of this in your young life there.”

Assisting the programme as well was the Coalition for the Protection of Children, which teams with the anti-gang programme Team StreetSafe, represented by Gina Ingham.

Explaining the mission of Lifeline, Mr Burgess stressed its volunteer nature.

“It’s for men serving life sentences, giving them an opportunity to provide a positive impact in the community they reside in, as well as the community they hope to return to.” The group, which has about a half dozen members at present, is always looking for charitable initiatives on the outside to engage in, he added.

Northlands Primary School student Mikayla Choudhury, Rickai Johnston of Purvis Primary School, West End Primary School’s Juanico Brangman and Heron Bay Primary student Marcus Durham were recipients of bikes, along with West Pembroke Primary School.