Seychelles Prison Service attends first African forum on corrections and rehabilitation

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.

Delegates were afforded the opportunity to visit staff training facility at Teflet, Kingdom of Morocco as well as a newly constructed prison facility with a capacity for 1500 inmates.

Closing the forum, heads of respective prison and correction services discussed and agreed on a ‘Rabat Declaration’ further supporting South-South cooperation, the creation of a technical committee, working to ensure a uniform standard across jurisdictions and closer cooperation.

“I welcome the opportunity to join my counterparts at this forum and extend my thanks to the Kingdom of Morocco, and the General Delegation under the patronage of His Majesty the King, Mohammed VI. Further cooperation, sharing of best practices, improving standards, improving conditions for staff, are all important elements which were discussed and to which we, here in Seychelles, are fully engaged in doing,” said the superintendent of SPS, Raymond St Ange.

“I was pleased to see the serious steps being taken by other services to adhere to the ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’, something which we have been doing since 2018. Further the great work by the UNODC in this area needs to be commended as they continue to launch platforms that can support our work,” Mr St Ange added.

The SPS has meanwhile confirmed that it will be holding its third workshop on the ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on July 18, 2020.

Contributed by the Seychelles Prison Service