Beyond the secure gates of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls, a large airbrushed mural greets every visitor with a simple but powerful message: “We Are the Future.”

For Minister of Social Services, the Hon. Barbara Cartwright, those three words became the defining theme of her first official visit to the residential rehabilitation facility, where she discovered a programme built not on punishment, but on discipline, dignity, opportunity and transformation.

Accompanied by Minister of State for Social Services, the Hon. Bacchus Rolle; Permanent Secretary Phedra Rahming-Turnquest; Director of Social Services Maxine Duncombe; Senior Deputy Director and Head of Human Resources Gabrielle Romer; Deputy Permanent Secretary for Human Resources Stephanie Brown; and other senior Ministry of Social Services officials, the Minister toured the facility, gaining a firsthand appreciation for the work being done to help young women rebuild their lives through education, structure, counselling and practical life skills.

Guiding the delegation was Superintendent Monique Greenslade, alongside Deputy Superintendent Lavette Saunders, Chaplain Samantha Evans and other members of the Centre’s leadership team, who provided an in-depth look at the philosophy, programmes and daily routines that shape life at the Centre.

The Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls, operated by the Department of Rehabilitative Welfare Services within the Ministry of Social Services, provides residential care, rehabilitation, education and life-skills development for young women, helping prepare them for successful reintegration into their families and communities.

Throughout the tour, Greenslade repeatedly emphasized that rehabilitation begins by recognizing the potential in every young person. It is a philosophy she said is reflected throughout the Centre and one that aligns with United Nations principles promoting rehabilitation, dignity and successful reintegration into society.

“This is a home,” Greenslade said. “This is where lives are transformed.”

That philosophy became evident almost immediately.

One of the most striking revelations came when Greenslade pointed to what was once an isolation cell used for disciplinary purposes. Today, it serves a very different purpose – as a storage room.

The change, she explained, reflects the Centre’s belief that meaningful correction comes through guidance, accountability and opportunity rather than punishment alone.

“If you pass through Willie Mae Pratt, you will leave with a skill that will last you a lifetime,” Greenslade said.

As officials continued through the facility, they encountered a structured environment designed not simply to supervise residents, but to prepare them for successful futures.

Discipline remains central to daily life, with residents expected to maintain cleanliness, complete assigned responsibilities and demonstrate respect for themselves, one another and their surroundings. Yet every aspect of that discipline is paired with opportunities for personal growth.

The Centre’s dormitories themselves reflect that philosophy. Rather than numbers, they bear names such as Hope, Persevere, Opportunity, Success, Faith and Love – constant reminders of the values the Centre seeks to instill.

Greenslade also explained how positive behaviour is recognized and rewarded. While the dormitories are comfortably equipped with industrial fans, one air-conditioned residence is reserved for girls who consistently demonstrate exemplary behaviour, excel academically and serve as leaders and positive role models among their peers.

Education remains at the heart of rehabilitation.

Many of the residents attend the special school that serves both the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls and the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys, while others who demonstrate readiness have the opportunity to attend private schools. Residents are also encouraged to pursue national certifications, including the Bahamas Junior Certificate examinations, with many performing successfully.

Learning extends well beyond the classroom.

The delegation toured a fully equipped cosmetology salon featuring professional shampoo stations, dryers and styling workstations, where residents receive practical training while styling one another’s hair, serving staff members and even members of the public. The salon not only develops marketable skills but also allows the young women to earn a modest income while building confidence and work experience.

Nearby, the Centre’s kitchen serves another important purpose beyond preparing daily meals.

Under the guidance of Chef Dennis Dean, residents receive hands-on training in food preparation and food service, equipping them with practical skills that can open doors to future employment in the hospitality and culinary industries.

The emphasis on preparing residents for independent adulthood extends throughout the Centre.

Recognizing that the girls are growing into young women, the Centre provides guidance on womanhood, home management and other essential life skills while ensuring their everyday needs are met. Residents are provided with personal hygiene products, undergarments, pajamas and other necessities that promote dignity, self-care and personal well-being.

Officials also toured a well-stocked pantry, complete with fresh fruits, vegetables and other nutritious food items, as well as the Centre’s medical office, which ensures residents have access to healthcare services when needed.

The Centre further promotes healthy lifestyles through indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, exercise equipment, a library and an arts and crafts area where residents are encouraged to develop their creativity and express themselves positively.

Even leisure time is purposeful.

Each evening, residents gather in the recreation area to watch the 7 p.m. ZNS News, helping them remain informed about national events and connected to the wider community.

Greenslade explained that maintaining those community connections is an important part of the Centre’s rehabilitative philosophy.

Residents regularly participate in programmes supported by churches, civic organizations and community stakeholders whose continued involvement provides mentorship, encouragement and positive role models.

Among the Centre’s valued partners is the Governor General’s Youth Award (GGYA) programme, which affords residents opportunities to participate in leadership development activities, including annual trekking and camping experiences that build confidence, teamwork and resilience.

Greenslade also explained that when residents participate in approved activities outside the Centre, they do not wear institutional uniforms. Instead, they wear modest everyday clothing—a practice that reflects the Centre’s commitment to preserving the dignity of the young women while supporting their successful reintegration into society.

“This is a home,” she reiterated. “I treat them like I do my own children and myself.”

Family relationships are also encouraged as part of that rehabilitation process. Residents are able to receive family visits every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with as many as ten approved visitors, strengthening the family bonds that are essential to successful reintegration.

Throughout the visit, Minister Cartwright engaged with residents who confidently shared their experiences and aspirations, leaving a lasting impression on the delegation.

“I am proud of what I have seen here today,” the Minister said.

She commended Greenslade and her team for their professionalism, dedication and the positive environment they have created for the young women entrusted to their care.

Minister Cartwright said she was particularly impressed by the confidence displayed by many of the residents, noting that they were articulate, engaged and comfortable interacting with visitors.

“The girls were outspoken and confident, and that speaks to the effort being invested in them,” she said. “They appeared happy, healthy and comfortable, and that tells me they are being cared for in an environment that truly supports their development.”

For the Minister, the visit reinforced that rehabilitation is not simply about addressing behavioural challenges, but about creating pathways to education, employment, personal responsibility and renewed hope.

It is a mission quietly reflected throughout the facility—from vocational training and academic achievement to family engagement, community partnerships and the values displayed on the cafeteria walls, where portraits of virtuous women of the Bible offer daily reminders of character, faith and perseverance.

Even the shirts worn by staff carried a message that echoed throughout the tour:

“Rehabilitation Starts From Within.”

As the delegation departed, the message that welcomed them at the gate carried an even deeper meaning.

At the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls, the future is not simply imagined—it is intentionally nurtured, one young life at a time.

“We Are the Future.”

Source: Felicity Darville

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