The Seychelles Prison Service in collaboration with the University of Seychelles is to observe the third ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ for humane treatment of prisoners, which will be held on July 18 and hosted by at the university’s James Mancham Peace & Diplomacy Research Institute at Anse Royale.

This year’s observation will be held under the theme ‘Crime & Punishment: have we got the balance right?’

It should be recalled that the Seychelles Prison Service first observed ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on July 18, 2018, a date which is recognised internationally to remember and commemorate Nelson Mandela. The prison service at that time announced its intentions to align its operations to the United Nations Minimum Standards for the treatment of prisoners, or the ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ following a directive by the Superintendent of Prisons, Raymond St. Ange.  

The Seychelles Prison Service (SPS) took part in the 1st African Forum on Corrections & Rehabilitation held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco from January 30 to 31, 2020.

Following an invitation by the Moroccan General Corrections & Rehabilitation Administration, 36 delegations with 450 participants met to discuss issues pertaining to corrections, humane treatment and management of prisoners and detainees, staff training, standards, adherence to ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ for the humane treatment of prisoners, as well as rehabilitation of inmates and their successful reintegration into society upon completion of their sentence.

The Superintendent of Prisons, Raymond St Ange, has described his recent visit to Israel as “solid and positive” after holding discussions with the Israeli prison authorities.

Following an invitation by the Israeli ambassador to Seychelles, Oded Joseph, Mr St. Ange completed a series of meetings with senior officials from the Israel Prison Service (IPS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Ben Shemen Youth Village for youth at risk.  The visit was conducted from January 16 to 21, 2020.

The Ben Shemen Youth Village, managed by general director, Dr Ilana Tischler, is a facility providing accommodation, classes and other positive experiences for 450 at risk youth aged between 6 and 18 years. 

In its drive to continually improve on its service delivery the Seychelles Prison Service (SPS) will now require all staff to participate and complete an online ‘E’ learning course offered by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC).

The course consists of an introduction, five substantive modules as well as a final assessment.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be issued with a certificate by the UNODC.

The course pertains specifically to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of prisoners.

Seychelles and Mauritius prison services have committed to engaging further via a joint technical committee as agreed in a memorandum of understanding signed in 2017.

Three specific areas will be taken up covering training, exchange of staff and intelligence.

The commitment was made when the superintendent of Seychelles Prison Service, Raymond St Ange and Commissioner Premananda Appadoo, P.D.S.M. of the Mauritius Prison Service met on the sidelines of the 1st African Forum on Administration of Prisons and Reintegration being held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.

The police and prison services have reported that they are investigating commotion incidents between a group of remand prisoners and Response Services officers performing court escort duties for those remands’ judicial appearance.

The incidents happened on Thursday morning sometimes after 9am at the Magistrate Court based in the Unity House following reports of misbehaviour by members of the remands.

It is reported that there were insults, threats, and the Responses Services escort officers received the assistance of regular officers performing duties at the court premises to intervene in trying to calm things down.

It is also reported that commotions between the two groups happened both inside and outside the building following reports by the remands that escort officers had used pepper spray on them.

Eventually the remands were transported back to the remand centre without any further incident.

Investigation is underway.