Six former Westgate inmates have been given paid work within the Ministry of Works and Engineering for 12 weeks under a new programme announced this morning by the Ministry and the Department of Corrections.

“It is important that Government render support to people who are on the path of redemption,” said Minister Derrick Burgess. Although launched two weeks ago, the Transition Initiative 2010 was not revealed until today.

Ex-inmates have been given labourer’s jobs, such as painting, “at the going rate of pay”, he said. Following the end of the 12 week scheme, the initiative will be examined to see if it can be extended.

Although work had been found for them within Ministry projects, Mr. Burgess stressed that ex-inmates had not been given existing vacant positions within Government.

* Full story in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.