The College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) and the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service renewed and updated their longstanding partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at COSTAATT’s City Campus in Port of Spain.
The agreement builds on a relationship first established in 2016 and reaffirms the commitment of both institutions to staff training, professional development and capacity building within the correctional system.
Delivering the feature address at the ceremony, Senator Professor Emeritus the Honourable Prakash Persad, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, described the agreement as an example of the tangible impact of investing in human capital. He emphasised that education and skills training play a critical role in rehabilitation, social mobility and reducing recidivism, while noting that education should extend beyond traditional classrooms and be responsive to national needs.
Commissioner of Prisons, Mr. Carlos Corraspe, highlighted the Prison Service’s ongoing transition from a traditional prison model to a corrections-focused approach. He stressed that while prisons play an important role in protecting society, lasting public safety depends on successfully rehabilitating offenders and reducing recidivism. He noted that education and professional development are essential to equipping officers with the knowledge and skills needed to support this transformation and commended the partnership with COSTAATT for helping to build that capacity.
Mrs. Roamar Achat-Saney, Chair of the Board of Trustees, COSTAATT, noted that since the signing of the original agreement, approximately 1,000 correctional officers have benefited from training opportunities through the partnership, with many progressing from correctional training programmes to certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree studies. She described education as a powerful tool for transformation, social mobility and rehabilitation.
Since the signing of the original agreement in 2016, the partnership has supported the delivery of programmes such as the Certificate in Criminal Justice and Introduction to Corrections, providing educational and professional development opportunities for both serving officers and new recruits.
The renewed agreement also complements COSTAATT’s wider efforts to address crime and recidivism through education. On June 20, 2026, the College celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of participants in its LinkUp Programme, which supports formerly incarcerated individuals seeking employment or entrepreneurship opportunities.
By continuing to invest in education and professional development, COSTAATT and the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service are helping to build a stronger correctional system and safer communities.
For further information, please contact:
Taslim Mark
Marketing and Public Relations Officer
Email: tmark@costaatt.edu.tt
