Press Release Music strikes a chord with Minister of State Cuthbert Flynn, who touts the arts as a significant tool of the country’s rehabilitation programme 24.03.2026

@ MNSGOVJM PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tues d ay , March 2 4 , 202 6 Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, the Hon. Juliet Cuthbert - Flynn, presents a ward from the Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Centre with prize s at the Ministry’s LIV GUD Jingle Competition Awards Ceremony, held at the Metcalfe Street Secure Juvenile Correctional Centre, on Tuesday, March 24, 2 0 26. Music strikes a chord with Minister of State Cuthbert - Flynn, who touts the arts as a significant tool of the country’ s rehabilitation programme Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, the Hon. Juliet Cuthbert - Flynn, is touting music as a significant tool in the rehabilitation process of wards of the state. Addressing wards and guests at the Ministry’s LIV GUD Jingle Competition Awards Ceremony at the Metcalfe Street Secure Juvenile Correctional Centre on Tuesday, March 24, O ffice of the Director of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Email: [email protected] Phon e: (876)754 - 0030 | (876) 220 - 2390 Ministry of National Security and Peace NCB North Tower 2 Oxford Road Kingston 5 Jamaica

@ MNSGOVJM the Minister underscored the transformative role of music in reshaping lives and fostering resilience. She described the initiative as a creative outlet that empowers young people to rewrite their stories and embrace positive change. “In the hands of you, our creative young men and women, our future LIV GUD Ambassadors, today, music has become a tool of rehabilitation , t he rhythm of reintegration and the chorus of hope that cannot be silenced,” said Minister Cuthbert - Flynn. The State Minister praised the participants for their courage, creativity and determination, stating that they have immersed themselves into the competition and that they have inspired her. “You did not stop at just showing up; you showed heart and synergy . Your actions are also empowering and refreshing,” Minister Cuthbert - Flynn said. She emphasised that the initiative is part of a broader rehabilitation strategy aligned with the National Correctional Services Policy, which recogni s es the importance of social and recreational programmes. Rehabilitation through Sports Facilitator, Javan Anderson (centre) celebrates with wards from the Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Centre after they were announced winners of the LIV GUD Jingle Competition on Tuesday, March 24. The announcement was made at the Competition Awards Ceremony held at the Metcalfe Street Secure Juvenile Correctional Centre for participants from all three juvenile correctional facilities . Complementary efforts include LIV GUD Paint and Sip sessions, the opening of a new sewing lab at South Camp Juvenile Correctional Centre and academic programmes offered by the Department of Correctional Services and its partners.

@ MNSGOVJM “These are not stand - alone efforts. Together they create real opportunities, giving our young people creative outlets, practical skills and access to education,” Minister Cuthbert - Flynn said, adding that “They help to restore dignity, build resilience and support a successful return to society” . Thirty - seven (37) wards participated in the competition , producing fourteen (14) original jingles, from which t he top three groups will be professionally recorded, mixed and mastered then incorporated into the Ministry’s public awareness advertisements. In the end, wards from the Rio Cobre Juven ile Correctional Centre swept the podium places, with ‘ Easy Skankers ’ taking third overall, ‘ Lux uriant ’ in second and ‘ Lemonade Fresh ’ copping the top prize. 30 -