Salmonier School is One Year Old.

Has it been a year already? It certainly has and it is great. The Education Centre, more commonly known as the school, and Mr. Leyte, the teacher, have been here at the Salmonier Correctional Institution since February 10, 1997 - a full year.

The school has grown since that cold Monday back in February of last year. The school opened to the inmate population with just five computers (three needing servicing) and about 200 books (mostly old novels and bonded Reader’s Digest). In this area alone there are now fifteen computers (all working) and about two thousand books including textbooks for Math, English, Science, Social Studies and Computer instruction.

There are several educational services available in the school as well as several educational programs to choose from. Inmates can receive career and employment counselling, get help with their letter writing, take part in the publishing of a monthly newspaper, obtain Arts and Crafts supplies and borrow books, newspapers and magazines from the school library. Inmates who wish to further their education can enroll in the provincial ABE program, take part in a 10/12 week GED preparation course or join the five- week Introduction to Computers course. All three of these programs offer a certificate of completion.

The school has few rules and regulations. Respect for the teacher and each other, the books, computers and the furniture are most important. All inmates are expected to follow this simple rule.

For those inmates who have completed their assigned work chores the school offers a reward. Friday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. inmates can relax and enjoy computer games. Some of the more popular computer games include Pool, Chess and Pinball.

All in all, the first year for the school was a successful one. There are obviously some equipment and supplies we would still like to have. Let’s take our time and as the years past the school will grow.