From 21 February to 10 March 2016, UNAMID Rule of Law, Prisons Advisory Unit Sector North, in collaboration with the State Prisons Administration, North Darfur, conducted a three week training programme on human rights and prison duties for 50 newly recruited Prisons Officers at the Bar Association facility in El Fasher, North Darfur. Participants were drawn from all the prisons institutions in North Darfur, including the Juvenile Home in El Fasher. Funded by Group Focal Point (GFP) and UNDP, the training programme was aimed at equipping the newly recruited officers with skills on human rights approach to prison management and basic prison duties. 

The training programme covered, amongst others, topics such as prison administration and the prison system in Sudan, the role of Prison/Correction Officer, cross-cultural awareness, introduction to human rights standards and mechanism, principles on treatment of young offenders, searches in prison, duties of a gate keeper, escort duties and use of force, public safety and communities around prisons and crisis management.

Addressing participants, UNAMID Correction Adviser, Sector North, Mr. John Omondi, stressed the importance of the course, emphasizing how, in turn, this training would improve the prison system in North Darfur. “I am confident that the skills and knowledge you acquire during this course will assist you to have an understanding of the duties of a prison officer locally and internationally. The course will also help to build capacity in the prisons administrative system and enable it to carry out its stipulated obligations in terms of complying with national and international instruments; provision of treatment and care to offenders, and creating an environment for the prisoner’s rehabilitation in order to prepare them for community reintegration”, he added.

The Director of Prisons in North Darfur State, Brigadier Mutassim Ebdulfatah Khalafallh, expressed his gratitude to UNAMID and UNDP for organizing what he termed a “very important workshop”. “I thank all the facilitators for imparting knowledge to the newly recruited officers and hope that the knowledge and experience gained in this course will be properly implemented” he stated.

The knowledge and skills gained in this 3-week intensive course, will not only boost your morale in your work but will also contribute to a professional delivery of service which will enhance public safety and national security in your work environment”

The representative of the Police Commissioner, North Darfur State, Colonel Mohammed Ahmed, also addressed the course participants and expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders, especially UNAMID and UNDP, for their continued support adding that he was confident the training would improve service delivery of the trainees in their different locations.

One of the course participants, Ms. Insaf Mohammed Osman, could not hide her joy at getting the opportunity to be part of the training programme. “Indeed, I have gained much experience in how I can do my job in a professional way amongst my community. I am really proud to be a prison officer” she added.

In her contribution, UNAMID Correction Officer, Ms. Chesyaosimo Mtamira, said she was very impressed and appreciative of the commitment to training showed by the participants, amongst who were 15 female prison officers. “The knowledge and skills gained in this 3-week intensive course, will not only boost your morale in your work but will also contribute to a professional delivery of service which will enhance public safety and national security in your work environment” she concluded.