Four Westgate inmates received their General Educational Development certificates yesterday morning in an emotional graduation ceremony.

Family, friends and prison staff watched as Shomari Virgil, Pelealkhai Williams, Dameko Dublin and Triston Burgess were recognised in the correctional facility’s chapel for their hard work.

“For most of the graduates, this is one of the greatest achievements in their lives, if not the greatest,” said Shawnette Somner, education officer at the Department of Corrections. “We have helped to equip four more incarcerated young men with a stronger foundation for a more successful journey on release.”

All four graduates from the Bermuda Department of Corrections Class of 2015-2016 thanked their families for their continued support.

Mr Virgil said he was optimistic for the future and spoke of his plan to study geriatric nursing and phlebotomy upon his release.

“Obtaining my GED is the first step,” he added. “This is a milestone in my journey towards positive change. I have made choices that have hurt the ones that I loved, and I have to make steps towards making amends.”

Mr Williams said that his graduation marked “the beginning of the new me”. “When I saw the look on my mama’s face after I told her I’d got my GED, I thought to myself, ‘Man, I finally did something right’,” he said.

“I want my mother to know today that I have grown, that I’m ready to take responsibility for my life and actions.

“Good things come to those who wait, but great things come to those who are willing to work for them. And I intend to be great.”

Mr Dublin, who last month warned Bermuda’s youth against joining gangs in a Royal Gazette interview, said: “Old habits become a lifestyle quickly, but breaking the lifestyle comes with time. Family forgives, family forgets, family is for ever, family is family and family is final.”

Mr Burgess said his journey to better himself began four years ago when he first looked into the eyes of his daughter, “the most beautiful little girl in the world”.

“It was time to step up and be a man for her — or remain immature and repeat the same stupidity that has rocked my life for so long,” he added.

“I signed up to take the GED to get back the time I wasted when I was in school.

“But I’m not going to waste this opportunity to show my mother and father how much I appreciate them.”

The inmates’ family members then stepped forward to profess their pride, reiterate their support and urge the men not to fall back into old habits when times become tough. The Commissioner of Corrections, Lieutenant-Colonel Eddie Lamb, urged the four inmates to continue making progress in their lives and education.

“Let this be a step, not a stop, in your journey,” he said. “We are the result of our cumulative choices, so I commend you for making the right choice. You are not discards from our society. We believe in you, the challenge now for you is to believe in yourselves.”

National security minister Jeff Baron said that he had seen men graduate from the programme who “have gone on to do remarkable things”. “And there have been men who sadly came right back in here,” he added.

“It’s up to you to make those choices. There are many people who care about you.

“When you come out, as a member of society, you have every opportunity to do great things.”