Our History

In the early 1950’s members of the Jamaica’s Prison Service suffered severe financial hardships due to the low wages they were being paid by the Government of the day. Being underpaid, the workers found themselves under severe financial pressure, borrowing from aggressive money lenders including ‘loan sharks’. On many ‘pay’ days, some of the officers of the Department could not leave their institutions. For some whose institution was close to the sea, they would escape by boats while others who dared to venture outside, would be held by bailiffs.

This embarrassing, undesirable situation continued for a long time, until a warder who was assigned to the General Penitentiary, Mr. Orville A. Hutchinson, who had knowledge about credit unions and the benefits they afforded members, thought it to be a meaningful solution to the financial woes of the officers.

Possibilities Explored

Mr. Hutchinson shared his knowledge and vision with Mr. Ethan E. King, a St. Lucian, who at the time, was the Director of Jamaica Prisons Services Department. He knew of the situation with the workers and welcomed Mr. Hutchinson’s idea. Mr., King acted on the information by approaching the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League and got their advice on how to start a credit union for the staff. The key promoter with the expert knowledge about credit unions at the time was the Jesuit Roman Catholic Priest, Father John Peter Sullivan. Father Sullivan knew and brought the history and philosophy of credit unions to Jamaica and the Caribbean. He, along with the other Jesuit Priests taught the members of their congregations the ideals of prudent management of their money and presented invaluable financial benefits to them, and Jamaicans at large. The other civilians from the Prison Services Department who were instrumental in forming the Credit Union from the embryonic stage were: Mr. Paddy Bailey, Paul A. Thompson and Lorrel Bruce.

The Credit Union is a Reality

Director King selected from among his cadre of senior officers’ employees to form a steering committee, including Mr. Orville Hutchinson and Mr. Sybil McCalla. They organized the shortest possible time for startup of the Credit Union. This was achieved successfully through attendance in a series of workshops.

On the 31^st of October 1958, under the distinguish leadership of Mr. Ethan King, and those other of our forefathers, dreams become reality and the Jamaica Prison Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited was born.  At the inauguration, the main address was given by Mr., Hector White, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The first general membership meeting was held in 1958.

From a slow start the Society, over time, made significant strides, and grew from strength in membership and financial stability. Initially the Credit Union occupied a small office inside the Prison’s main gate at the General Penitentiary, Tower Street. Kingston. The Board of Directors in 1973, sought and got permission from the Director of Prisons, to build an office on the grounds of the Sports Club at Tower Street, Kingston. Upon completion of the building saw the Credit Union’s office move to a more suitable and pleasant environment. In the early 1990s the office was subsequently removed to 28 Union Square where it now resides.

On 1 April 1975, the name Jamaica Prison Service Department was changed to Correctional Services Department. As a consequence, later that year, the name of the credit union was changed to Correctional Services Co-operative Credit Union Limited.   The founders of the credit union can be proud of the Society’s achievement over the many years. The staff, volunteers and other close associates and the undeniable help from God has made this important institution possible.

On April 08, 2014 the membership voted for the bond be extension to include employees of Jamaica Fire Brigade. The  employees of JFB have been enrolling with nearly 500 members to mid-2019.

The Board of Directors, Management, staff and other volunteers are all committed to continuously improving the experience of our members at all levels. They are the reason why the Society continues to exist,