Six former Westgate inmates have been put to work for a period of 12 weeks as part of a new Government programme.

Transition Initiative 2010 was launched as a means of helping persons reintegrate into the community after a period of incarceration.

Employment is limited to 12 weeks, during which time the men involved have the opportunity to develop their skills as labourers.

It also provides them with necessary references and resumes for full-time employment.

The scheme was announced by Works & Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess at a press conference yesterday.

"Applicants were interviewed based on recommendations and their employment skills and I believe we not only selected jobs that need to be done, but we also selected people best suited to do them," he said as he explained the joint initiative between his Ministry and the Department of Corrections.

The six men now participating in the scheme are working for Works & Engineering. Their pay is at the standard rate for the work involved, Mr. Burgess said.

"They're not going to be taking anybody's jobs. We can't rule out others who want to take up positions with Government. For example, if after this programme, when jobs became available in Government they'll have to go through the normal procedure. And they can apply like anybody else."

Day release programmes and other initiatives to employ unskilled workers remain under discussion for now, he added.

"I don't want to go too much into that but that will be based on a programme to help them, whilst in prison, to get some skill sets.

"We often follow the plight of the guilty, but rarely trumpet the redemption of those who pay for their crimes and then integrate back into the community."

Feedback has been positive since the programme started two weeks ago, the Minister added.

"Following the initial 12-week programme, an evaluation will be undertaken and subsequent follow-up and discussion will determine the viability and sustainability of such a programme for the future."

Whether or not the initiative can be extended will also depend on additional funding, which Mr. Burgess said he hoped would be available after the next Budget.