A group of prisoners working to get their lives back on the right track celebrated their graduation yesterday.

A total of 19 men passed either the General Education Diploma (GED) ? which encompasses reading, writing, social studies, science and mathematics ? or a Culinary Arts certificate. They were joined by proud friends and family members at Westgate Correctional Facility as they received their certificates from Minister Without Portfolio Walter Lister during the fourth annual graduation ceremony.

One of those celebrating his achievement was Shawn Simmons, who told the audience: ?It?s been a long journey for us. I congratulate my fellow students for a good achievement. We as a group should feel proud today. This is not a ?get out of jail free? diploma, but it will let us go where we want to. Now I can go to college, which I could never do before.?

Explaining that he never thought he would pass his GED, he added: ?It?s ignited a fire in me that?s burned brighter with achievement. We have more of a focus ? a purpose in our lives. Our cup is half full, not half empty.?

Fellow graduate Calvin Trott said: ?I had to resit the math portion (of the GED) five times. I?ve lost most of my hair tugging and pulling it, up all night studying. Now I can finally grow it back!?

Commissioner of Corrections Bryan Payling said it was not an easy task for an adult to return to education.

?Congratulations for having the courage,? he told the group. Urging the men to carry on bettering themselves and to always remember the talents they have, he said: ?Sometimes you have to go back to go forward.?

Mr. Lister told the inmates: ?I recognise that the road has not always been easy, but you have persevered. You have stood the course. Your determination and hard work have ensured the successes you enjoy today.?

Poet Paul Adderley attended as guest speaker, where he read inspirational verses about leading a positive life from his book ?The Winning Way?He told the graduates: ?Use this as a stepping stone. You?ve made your mistakes... pull yourselves up brothers and move forward.?

Speaking after the ceremony, some of the prisoners shared their hopes for the future.

Michael Maderios, 42, who is serving a ten year sentence for conspiracy to import drugs, gained his GED. ?I feel really good about it. When I was younger I didn?t worry about education, I just got a job. When I came to prison, I took the opportunity to get my GED.

?I have three children and wanted to set that example for them,? he said.

Mr. Maderios now hopes to sign up for new classes at Westgate which include plumbing and carpentry, and go back to work at his family construction company upon his release.

John O?Connor, 19, has another ten months to serve at the Co-Ed facility for breach of probation. ?I wanted to make something better of my life,? he said, of gaining his GED. He wishes to become an architect after his release.

Mr. Trott said he wished to pay particular thanks to those at Westgate who had assisted him in his studies for his diploma ? in particular Wendy Spengler.

?She not only helped me gain my certificate, but helped me with the anger I had,? he explained.