Calderón Visits the Kids of Criminals

[Ecuajey]

Calderon takes Christmas gifts to women’s prison

Saturday, December 14th, 2002

Puerto Rico WOW News

SAN JUAN (AP) – Gov. Sila Calderon visited Saturday the Women’s Industrial School in Vega Alta to take Christmas gifts to the children of the inmates, according to La Fortaleza.

Surrounded by almost 500 boys and girls, the governor urged the inmates to "take advantage of every opportunity to rehabilitate themselves” through the programs provided by the Corrections and Rehabilitation Department.

"We need you. . .Your families also need you, so walk with assurance and your head held high, directed at achieving the goal of rehabilitation and renovation of you lives," the governor said.

Calderon indicated that the Corrections and Rehabilitation Department has established an academic and trade program for inmates to obtain work experience and a school degree, La Fortaleza said in a press release.

She said as part of this effort, her administration has proposed to "integrate family members. . .to the rehabilitation process, including improvements to the visitation program to facilitate frequent contacts with them.”