Ms. Yoshida Gumbs, Supervisor of Zenaida Haven, returned to island after completing a two-week visit to the Glen Mills Schools. Glen Mills is a residential education facility for juvenile delinquents located in Pennsylvania. The Glen Mills Schools has a nearly forty year history of success using our sociological model supports the assertion that the majority of adjudicated delinquents are not emotionally disturbed. The School has integrated the Balanced and Restorative Justice principles of (1) accountability, (2) community protection, and (3) competency development into the paradigm and believe they are closely aligned with their philosophy when dealing with juvenile offender/delinquents.
Ms. Gumbs reported that she came away very impressed after studying many aspects of the program. She has indicated her plan to implement some of the Glen Mills programming in our facility and hopes to emulate the Glen Mills culture into our already positive environment at Zenaida Haven. “It was a very fulfilling experience and I felt extremely welcomed by all the staff and students,” Ms. Gumbs expressed.
She continued that, “Zenaida Haven is a lot like Glen Mills but on a much smaller scale.” She highlighted her excitement about the school wide PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) program which was recently adopted and the culture that it fosters.
Ms. Gumbs continued to stress that she really enjoyed the culture at Glen Mills. She said that she will work at creating such a culture here at ZH where staff work in partnership with residents, modelling behaviour and ensuring consistency of practice across the board.
She concluded by saying that it was a very intense two weeks where she learned a lot.
Ms. Gumbs recognized that a number of persons and parties made this opportunity possible for her, and took the opportunity to express her thanks and appreciation to UNICEF who funded her visit to Glen Mills, Government of Anguilla, The Ministry of Health and Social Development, Chief Probation Officer and her team at Zenaida Haven and her family who supported her.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
