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People first
Not A Number has recently settled in Moka and has been working since 2017 to rehabilitate former inmates through soft skills and hands- on training as well as assistance with their job search. The NGO’s initiatives have two main goals: the reintegration of former inmates into society and crime prevention. We interviewed their Director, Preetee Gopaul.
What message do you want to convey?
X Beyond crime statistics, there are human beings – with their own context and history, and often pain and trauma. We cannot just use imprisonment or punitive measures to address the root causes of crime: we need to create more opportunities for people to understand the harm they have caused and to change positively. P
Can you introduce us to your association?
X I had the idea of creating this NGO after a research trip in 2012: at that time, I was back in Mauritius to interview children and staff at the Correctional Youth Centre as part of my MSc in Crime Science at UCL London. I set up Not A Number after returning to the island a few years later.
Our aim is to reduce crime and recidivism rates, but above all we want to contribute to a safer society in which everyone can thrive. P
What projects are you working on right now?
X Brick By Brick and Inspir Mwa
are our two flagship delinquency prevention programmes. Brick By Brick is a programme for the integration of inmates in Mauritius and Rodrigues
in the construction sector; the aim
is to reduce recidivism through skills development, access to employment, and remove certain barriers that prevent social reintegration. It includes masonry training, workshops and individual support before and after their release. This project has enabled many participants to find work in construction and we plan to train more people in
the coming months. We also want to replicate this type of programme in other sectors in order to create real opportunities for the social reintegration of prisoners.
Inspir Mwa focuses on prevention among the youth (especially those who are deemed “at risk”) to minimise problems that may arise in adulthood. This programme helps them develop their self-awareness, create a positive vision for their future and identify the steps needed to achieve their goals. P
associations
Not A Number
2021 / NO 3 / MOKAZINE 63