Director of the Rio Cobre Correctional Centre (4th left), Superintendent Martin Dryden stands with fathers, each showing a citation given for their volunteerism, who dedicated Father’s Day to boys at the Centre, near Sligoville.

While many Jamaican fathers spent their Father’s Day with family and friends, four selfless men chose to spend the day with wards at the Rio Cobre Correctional Centre in St. Catherine.

Put on by the Youth for Arts and Recreational Development (YARD) Empire group, a Father’s Day Workshop themed ‘Becoming Better Men’ was the focus for the young men aged between 15 and 17 years.

According to founder and actress Terri Salmon, the workshop sought to challenge the mindsets of these young offenders to think positively and strive, as the theme suggests, to be better versions of themselves.

“One of the most important messages was although they made a mistake and are sent here to be rehabilitated, they must not think that this is the end of their lives,” she told Jamaica Today.

The boys, who have become wards of the state for crimes ranging from larceny, extortion, lottery scamming and robbery, hail from several parishes including, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, St. James and Westmoreland.

Salmon said she was heartened by the dedication of the four exemplary fathers; Major Everald Dixon, Winston McKane, Courtney Morgan and Desland McKenzie; who showed what it means to step up and play a pivotal role in the lives of these boys.

“To be able to get these fathers to sacrifice two to three hours away from their families on Father’s Day, that touched me. I can’t thank them enough,” she said.

Superintendent Martin Dryden, head officer in charge of the facility which is located three minutes outside of Spanish Town in Sligoville, told Jamaica Today that he welcomes all well-intended initiatives such as the Father’s Day workshop.

“I think it’s an awesome initiative, it is good that upstanding fathers in the society can come on this day to talk to the boys. There is always need for this kind of intervention and so I welcome YARD,” he noted.

The fathers each held an interactive discussion with the wards, talking about how each boy felt about his father and why and how that makes him fee. They also explored what kind of father each boy would like to be.

Many of the wards revealed their disdain for their fathers, who were either absent, deceased or dismissive and abusive.

The wards were also treated to meals from sponsors Tastee Jamaica Limited and each father was presented with a plaque of appreciation for taking the time to try and encourage the young men on a better path for when they are reintegrated into society.

By Gavin Riley