Inmates at the Tamarind Farm Adult Correctional Centre have produced 98 tonnes of chicken meat since the facility was outfitted with two 9,000-square-foot broiler units approximately three weeks ago.
Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of National Security, Matthew Samuda, highlighted the development on his Twitter account on Thursday (November 12).
“#Update 3 weeks ago we unveiled our new broiler units at Tamarind Farm Adult Correctional Centre in partnership with Newport Mills Limited (Nutramix), following the official commissioning of the two broiler units approximately 98 tonnes of broiler meat has already produce,” said Samuda in a tweet.
“This represents approximately 40% of the total inmate consumption per annum. Many thanks to Nutramix! Most importantly inmates are learning and gaining a sense of purpose. Look at us NOW,” added Samuda.
In late October 2020, the ministry partnered with Newport Mills Limited (NPM), a local chicken feed supplier, to install the broiler units at an estimated value of J$30 million.
The new facilitates were coupled with training provided by NPM for inmates in poultry production.
Samuda noted that the project was expected to save the Department of Correctional Services millions in expenditure on food, as near 100,000 kilogrammes of chicken meat is to be produced representing approximately 40 per cent of total consumption annually.
In 2018, former state minister, Pearnel Charles Jr ,said Jamaicans paid approximately $1.3 million per inmate for their maintenance within the prison system.
