Episode Transcript
[00:00:01] Speaker A: The best insight, instant feedback, accountability, the all new Talk Radio Freedom 106.5. And we are set to chat now with the widow of Mr. Wayne Chance. She is now the CEO of Vision on a Mission, Giselle Chance. Good morning to you, Ms. Giselle Chance.
[00:00:21] Speaker B: Good morning.
Thanks for having me.
[00:00:24] Speaker A: Beautiful. I know you were to be in studio with us, but I understand and I'm happy that you're still able to spend a few minutes with us on the telephone as it relates to this particular conversation we are having now when it comes to the rehabilitation for deportees.
All right. Vision on a Mission based on newspaper reports coming out from the Minister of Defense and so forth, stating that they're going to solicit partnership with you and your organization in order to to rehab these persons. All right. Now, before we get to the rehabilitation of deportees, how have the Vision on the Mission been faring as it relates to rehab of inmates to be reintegrated into society? I know this was your husband's vision many years ago. How have you all been faring within recent years on these issues?
[00:01:08] Speaker B: So thanks for the interview and for giving me the opportunity to share with the wider public more about the work that Vision and Mission does.
So Vision and Mission was started by my late husband over 20 years ago and it was started by a prisoner for prisoners and formerly incarcerated prison.
And our services extend to deportees.
So we have worked with consecutive administrations over the last 25 years and we continue to be the leading NGO that provides a range of services to formerly incarcerated person in the main.
Now, our success rate, because I'm going to get straight to the issue here, is based on how many persons return back to the prison system after they would have completed our program, and we have to say completed after spending at least three to six months with us.
And that recidivism rate percentage has fluctuated between 2 to 4% over the last five years.
What does that mean?
Out of 10 patients who would have come to us to receive our services, only 2, 1 to 2 or 1 to 4 at any point in time would have returned to a life of crime.
Now, globally, when you compare that statistic with other jurisdictions, it's an excellent rate when you look at the type of population we are treating with.
So our success rate is over 90%.
All right. In the main.
So our program has been able to be in existence over all of these years because we have worked very closely with consecutive administrations to provide the data, the necessary reports to the ministry so that they are satisfied that mission is playing the role successfully that it should be playing in the space of community correction.
[00:04:10] Speaker A: First of all, let me take the opportunity to congratulate you on the continued efforts to sustain what your husband pioneered and engineered some two decades ago to see that you have taken up the mantle as CEO and continuing. I want to congratulate you and implore you to continue. Now before I get to the deportees factor, because you mentioned that you work with locals, inmates that you know that would have been released from being incarcerated and then you went to deportees that come in. Let's work with the locals first. The inmates that come out. I want to get to that before I transition to those that are that you have worked with in the past and are currently scheduled to work with in the not too distant future.
What types of programs does Vision and a Mission engage in with these former incarcerated ones that can that helps them to be reintegrated into society in a wholesome and contribute wholesomely to the national wider society? What type of programs?
[00:05:11] Speaker B: I'll be happy to answer that.
So we provide accommodation, food, clothing, counseling and skills training, retraining and job placement opportunities.
So we treat with their primary needs first in order to prepare them for successful living within their respective communities.
So once we have the basic needs met, we also conduct various workshops daily and that would include money management, family relationships, social, civic responsibilities, emotional intelligence, anger management.
We also have 25, up to 45% of our clients having issues pertaining to mental health and that could range from autism, learning disabilities to schizophrenia, multiple personality, antisocial disorders, etc.
Marijuana induced psychosis.
So we also have a similar number of them have co occurring challenges with substance abuse and addiction.
So we have not received the funding to be able to have a section of our program to be able to treat with those who have drug related challenges.
So what we do is we work with the current apparatus of the state health services in order to treat with those persons. We also in the area of skills training and development, we have currently programs in agriculture, barbering, air conditioning repair, tiling, to name some of the skills training opportunities that are available to our clients.
We also are very active, we play an active role in finding job opportunities for the clients.
So some of them are able to work in the programs internally.
And I, I wouldn't want to say where some of them work throughout the country, but some of them work right next to you, the average citizen, because.
[00:08:24] Speaker A: I was not about to ask you that. I was not about to ask you. You took the question out of My mind, I was thinking, you know, does vision and a mission assist with placing these ones into the wider populace in terms of getting employment? Because some of them are quite talented and educated. I mean, they went down a bad road and they got caught up in things. But it doesn't mean that they don't have the ability to learn. Minus the ones that have substance abuse challenges and mental health issues. They are those that they follow friends. But if they get the opportunity to learn a skill set or develop their minds, they can get, they can become, they can get a doctorate, they can do anything.
[00:08:59] Speaker B: Some of them do get a doctorate, you see. So what, you know, one or two or they. A degree, some of them have 10 passes or levels.
What is that Vision mission can equip formerly incarcerated persons with all the tools that they need to become a contributing law abiding citizen.
But if the opportunities in the wider public domain, the business community are not available and discrimination and stigmatization persists, and we understand why that is the case because the trauma of crime is real.
So it is also our responsibility to advocate and to educate and to let the public know why it's important to give these persons a chance to work alongside you and I so that they can earn a living in the right way.
So more needs to be done, I think from a overall framework level. Policy. Speaking to policy, legislation.
[00:10:35] Speaker A: Because here's my question. You said some of them work among us. How are you? How are we. How are you able to assist them in bypassing the. Is it that you all speak directly to employers, letting them know. Okay, great. Because at the end of the day we can't. When they ask you for a certificate of character, these things will show up.
[00:10:53] Speaker B: Correct. And that's why I'm saying the framework needs to be give. Needs to be in place to give the companies and the businesses and the organizations that want to hire these persons, they are big to do so.
All right, but in. We have not reached that there as yet.
[00:11:16] Speaker A: When is. You have to elaborate a bit more. When you said they need to put resources, what exactly are you alluding to?
[00:11:24] Speaker B: Not resources. I'm speaking to legislation.
[00:11:26] Speaker A: Legislation. Okay, cool, cool.
[00:11:28] Speaker B: I'm not talking about finance, but what.
[00:11:30] Speaker A: Kind of, what kind of legislation you think you want to see happen to make this transition smooth? You want to make it mandatory that employers have to hire people or what is it you're looking for? Exactly.
[00:11:41] Speaker B: I don't think it should be mandatory, but what I think it is, it should be incentive based.
So, okay, I'm a company, I Get a tax break.
[00:11:52] Speaker A: Okay, noted.
[00:11:52] Speaker B: Yeah, I hire a formerly incarcerated person who would have gone through rehab. A state assessed rehabilitation program, one like Vision and mission or any other program, because that is assessed by the state.
[00:12:12] Speaker A: Because just to look, just to reiterate what you were saying there, and that's a beautiful point because when you look at the traffic violators, what the government did, they had two companies, they had the logistics training center and arrivalive and these were two agencies where offend errant drivers had to go through this rehabilitation course, state approved and then you can be allowed to drive on the nation's roads again. So I love that idea. I think that's a very incredible idea that you came, you know, an incentive of something. Once you can prove that you have given these other persons another opportunity at life to contribute positively to society. Now here's my next question to you. When it comes down to assisting ones getting jobs, that is all well and good. Remember vision and a mission. It's a limited space availability. So persons is a recycle process. So you come in, you go through the six months. How do you assist person? Well, outside of getting the jobs, do you assist them with getting apartment rentals in order so that they can move on with their lives?
[00:13:12] Speaker B: Yes, we actually have a step down facility where after they have saved enough money to be able to pay down on our rent.
[00:13:21] Speaker A: But how do you manage that money though?
[00:13:23] Speaker B: So we have a money management.
[00:13:26] Speaker A: You'll take the salary from them? Part of it, give them to help them. What do you all do?
[00:13:30] Speaker B: Well, what we have is a facility.
So. Yes, and the main. So we have a facility where they are required to save a portion of their salary.
[00:13:41] Speaker A: Okay, okay. Yeah, okay. Beautiful. And that will help them in the wider scheme of things. Now as we continue our interview this morning, let's get to the deportees aspect of things. Here we have pedophiles, sex offenders, murderers. We have persons of different criminal backgrounds coming into this, to this country. Now it's one thing to live in a country for many years, get yourself in crime. You get locked up. You're born and grew here. You come out, you're familiar, all right, you might spend a 10, 15 minute, come out. The main road might be paved, a building might be torn down, a new KFC might be built somewhere, a new royal castle pop up here, a new restaurant. Those are minor changes that you see. I didn't know that all the time. So it's easy to transition because you're always here. What about a person who spent 27 years, 32 years in the US 40 years.
At the age of 2, they left this country. They know nothing about Trinidad and Tobago, maybe ex and they can't. And the fact that they're getting deported means they never come back.
So how does Vision and a Mission align themselves now to assist these ones with reintegrate, with at least becoming accustomed to being local again?
[00:14:50] Speaker B: Well, we are a helping hand.
All right. So it's important to note, though, that Vision and Mission is a voluntary program.
So what that means is the individual has to make the decision, fortunately or unfortunately, however you want to look at it, to say, I want Vision admissions help.
So we don't force anybody to access our services. But once they do, they are open.
They have access to all of these services that I previously mentioned that exists for the formerly incarcerated persons. They have access to all of those services.
[00:15:44] Speaker A: But then that's good, that's good.
But remember, they would not know Trinidad and Tobago. So how do you assist them with moving around, even if they get a job to basically travel from one point to the next? You know, some of them, this is the first time they're touching back in Trinidad after many, many years. They may not. What does.
[00:16:06] Speaker B: Yes. So the first point of contact is at the airport.
So over the years we have been, we have worked with the closely with the Ministry of National, National Security and Immigration to be there when deportees arrive.
Currently, we are tightening and making those systems more, well, just making them better.
So when the deportees that are arriving tomorrow will be there, working alongside with the officials in order to greet them, give them a sense of, okay, we are here to help.
Do you need a phone call to call a relative?
Basic things, we give them a care package.
We also have a chat with them, let them know these are the services we provide. If you have nowhere to go, you can come with us immediately. If you're not sure about it, you can leave.
And if and when you need our assistance, you can come. Now. Once they come to Vision and Mission, they are assigned a social case worker and that caseworker creates a reintegration treatment plan.
So there's a clear roadmap as to what are the needs of this individual and how can we. We support them. So sometimes we send a mentor out with them, like a buddy.
So we use a more senior client who is well on his way to being to exit any program.
And we pair them with the deportee. So they would go and go to a Pennywise trip. They go to the market with them, we, they go Shopping with them so that they can become familiar with the country once again.
[00:18:22] Speaker A: Yeah.
You know, and I'm really, really happy now. Has, has the new administration reached out to you all as yet?
And what type of conversations did you all have with the Defense Minister and so forth and his team?
[00:18:36] Speaker B: Well, we are happy that the current administration sees the benefit of Vision Admission.
And so the discussions were around improving the access that Vision Admission has to the deportees when they arrive.
So what used to happen on occasion. Well, in the main before is that we were called and told that the deportees are arriving. We were given names but we were not able to identify the individuals.
Yes. Beforehand. So after the processing would have completed, our staff would have had to try to make out or have the exit in. Okay, he looks like a deportee.
Right.
[00:19:32] Speaker A: That's madness. No picture, nothing.
No, man don't do much and we.
[00:19:37] Speaker B: Would have to run them home.
And so imagine.
[00:19:41] Speaker A: So wait, wait, when they walk through Piaco and they come out after a couple, they just walk out and that happens. Wow.
[00:19:50] Speaker B: Well, I mean, I'm trying to show you the improvement. I'm being very clear with the improvement.
[00:19:56] Speaker A: Yeah, that's fine. That's fine.
[00:19:58] Speaker B: What would happen is that we would have to say, go up and introduce ourselves and say, you know, we are from Vision and Mission. Now put yourself in that individual's shoes.
You're like, who are you? Why are you speaking to me?
[00:20:13] Speaker A: And then you're asking me if I said the party. What if man says no, if I'm not at the party, do you embarrass me or.
[00:20:20] Speaker B: Right.
And then there's such a vulnerable population stigmatization and then they may be saying, I wonder if this person wants to traffic me that too, or all of these things.
So there was a bit of a.
There needed to be improvements in the way things were done.
So I said all of that to see that what we are pleased about is that our recommendation to have us work closely with the officials so that the deportees can identify us as a state supported agency very clearly so that that trust could be established so that they can say, okay, you know what? No.
Yes, these individuals are here legitimately here to give me support.
[00:21:23] Speaker A: Yeah, I'm happy to hear that. So now, now when they come through what you're. I thought it was coming in this morning at 1:30.
[00:21:32] Speaker B: So did we.
[00:21:34] Speaker A: So that was misinformation. So you all were there and nothing. Oh my.
What kind of.
[00:21:40] Speaker B: No, no, no, no. Please let me clarify.
These things happen.
It's all powerful course sometimes when we get the information there's some clarification that is needed and we are here to work with the administration. You know there will always be teething problems issues.
But what is good is that the officials are open to feedback and they are very willing to work along with us and we are very grateful for that.
[00:22:19] Speaker A: So when are these deportees are expected to be in Trinidad and Tobago?
[00:22:23] Speaker B: Saturday morning.
[00:22:24] Speaker A: So what is it like 1:30am to 2:00am A white plane come in or I don't know, we don't know but some airline coming in we with these people and you all will be there on hand to welcome them and greet them and once they need your help is where you all will take them in to the various back to your location. Where are you located again?
[00:22:52] Speaker B: So we have two.
Excuse me, we have two facilities, one at Waller Field and one at Laventille.
So one is our main facility and the Laventille facility are individual apartments that we offer to clients at a very reduced rate.
So they're not going to play the average rental rate. We give them a reduced rate just to give them one final opportunity to get themselves together for independent living.
[00:23:28] Speaker A: Noted. And I mean Giselle, Ms. Chance, you all are doing an amazing job.
This is some kind of God intervention to take time out of your. You could have been living your best life but here it is. You're willing to work with the less fortunate in society.
[00:23:43] Speaker B: It became a passion of mine when I met my late husband. It was not something that I planned to do but having been around prisoners, formerly incarcerated persons, persons who find themselves on the wrong side of the law, I was very intimately introduced to their world.
And so I for me to take an active role in ensuring the public safety. You're doing awesome overall public safety. I'm a mother.
I want to ensure that whatever I'm doing is contributing to my child, my family as well being able to be safe.
We can't solve all the problems of crime on our own because I want to reiterate here, the persons who come to us come to us on a voluntary basis. We do have some persons who come to us through the court. They are remanded into our care through the court now.
So we have persons on ankle monitoring bracelets remanded into our care through bail. High risk individuals. And I sleep very good at night knowing that some persons are not out there on bail walking among us willy nilly.
But they have some sort a restraint.
[00:25:18] Speaker A: Of yes and monitoring. You know, I'm happy that you mentioned the ankle bracelet because people believe it's just a myth. You know, it doesn't have it in Trinidad. I mean, they talked about it, but some people never see somebody with it. So I'm happy to know that you are testimony that those ankle bracelet monitors are very much in effect and authorities can monitor such persons and. And see them now when they are remanded into your care. Is it that you have police officers there to watch them, or is it that they have a sense of freeness? What is this called, these halfway houses? Is it a halfway house situation where they can go out? They're restricted to go certain places and had to come back in by a certain time.
[00:25:58] Speaker B: Yes. So they have a curfew. So they are also assigned as a caseworker.
We also have to abide by the conditions of the bail. So it's different for each individual based on the charge.
So the restrictions will be different. There are some persons who can't go out at all. There are some persons who can go out, so. Or if they go out, they have to be accompanied.
So it varies.
And unfortunately, we don't have police there, but we are given the resources in order to have the adequate security.
So what is most important, though, is that while the prisoner has the right to apply for bail, we can't do anything about that.
What is good is that while they are on bail with us, they are monitored.
And more than monitored, they are a part of a very robust reintegration program immediately.
[00:27:11] Speaker A: They ain't started serve time yet, you know, because the case going on to the unveil, but they're getting a chance to be rehabbed immediately. I love that. I love that. I love that. Well said. Well said. Well, I want to tell you thank you so much. I know you told me you had something that you have to deal with this morning that's urgent, and that's why I didn't make it with us. But we appreciate the fact that you took at least 30 minutes of your time to chat with us this morning. And Ms. Chance, I want to say to you this morning, I think you are awesome.
[00:27:37] Speaker B: Oh, thank you.
[00:27:39] Speaker A: You are an awesome person. And why am I saying that what you are doing is not gathering riches, but you are gathering riches. And not riches in terms of dollars and cents, but you're gathering riches in people. People, Their development and their growth.
You are helping. As you said, you are a mother, so you understand this thing of teaching your children to protect them and keep them away from certain things. And it's like every person that comes under your care is like a child to you. When they come in, you are now teaching them a. A different way of life and teaching them up, putting, trying your best to put them on a path of greatness rather than a part of, you know, worsened conditions where they fall back. And As I mentioned, 2% or two individuals so far, recurring life of crime. I think you are awesome and I want to wish you God's greatest blessings in the continuance of your job and your work and your staff and everybody that is associated with you. I wish that government sees this well and really, when they're making the budget for the next fiscal year, allocate some funding to Vision and a mission. To Vision and Mission, sorry. So that you guys can continue this great work. Maybe have another facility in the San Juan area, maybe central, you know, for persons who working in that area, you know, different houses that people can, you know, really reintegrate into society.
[00:29:07] Speaker B: Can I say one thing before.
[00:29:08] Speaker A: Of course you can.
[00:29:09] Speaker B: You know, because we have come into the forefront due to the deportation.
There are those who would, who are challenging in different domains our validity and our integrity.
And I want to state very clearly that we are an organization that is very closely monitored by the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Ministry of National Security. And were we not fulfilling the key performance indicators, were we not providing audited financial reports without any challenges for the last 20 years, all right, Were we not providing the reports, the data, I would not be here speaking with you today.
So we are.
Our core values as an NGO is to not be political and not to politicize the issue of crime, criminality, deportation, et cetera. But we are here simply to do our job in making Trinidad and Tobago a safer place. So thank you for the opportunity, Ms.
[00:30:34] Speaker A: Chance. Thank you very much. I wish you all the best. And I have your number. So when these deportees come in and you all go through, I would call you maybe next week again on the Morning Rumble here and you can tell us the experience when they arrived. You have pictures of these people, right? So you know, what it look like when they come.
[00:30:52] Speaker B: I don't want to give out.
[00:30:53] Speaker A: All right, no problem. But we'll talk in the next. In the next time and we'll figure out, you know, how it went and, you know, what are some of the challenges you faced with them. You know, we'll get some. Some ideas as to what is happening. All right, so thank you very much for chatting with us this morning. All right, have a good one.
[00:31:07] Speaker B: Thanks.
[00:31:07] Speaker A: All right, so we have been chatting with the widow of Mr. Wayne Chance here on vision and mission. With the reintegration of these deportees and other prisoners into society. At this time, the best insight, instant feedback, accountability. The all new Talk Radio Freedom 106.5.
