Jewelry Shop

A jewelry shop is not something you would expect to find in an ordinary prison.  But the Belize Central Prison is not ordinary, and it does nave a shop where seven inmates and two civilian employees work each day, crafting delicate objects.

It started almost 3 years ago, when Mr. Wilson, an American Jeweler, approached Kolbe's Chairman Mr. John Woods with the idea of a jewelry shop at the prison.  The idea was immediately accepted and Kolbe initiated the process by constructing the building and installing the basic amenities to accommodate the industry.  Mr. Wilson, furthermore, injected a US half - million worth of equipment for the jewelry making.  It was a very interesting commencement as the tree staff that Mr. Wilson brought along had never worked in a confined area with inmates.  Nevertheless, it worked out very well.

Today, the prison boasts having the largest jewelry production shop in the country, with its capability to make one-thousand pieces of jewelry per day.  Current pieces worked on include necklaces, rings, enamel label pins, and even class-rings from pewter, sterling silver, 10 and 14 karat gold. In fact, it is confirmed that the hems and pins that Belize imports that are sold in Tourist shops can be made right here at the prison. 

Production in effect inside the jewelry shop                                                                                                       

Despite its potential, the jewelry shop is still struggling to remain open as orders are not coming in as expected.  With improvement in our marketing arena, it is expected that the shop will begin to boost.