On Wednesday April 13, 2022, the prison service launched its first health and safety policy before staff who had stepped forward to be safety champions and to sit on the health and safety committee.

At that time the commissioner of prisons, Raymond St Ange, said “certainly it is the responsibility of all employees of the prison service to support and actively work to promote a healthy and safe working environment and I encourage all officers and staff to be part of a positive effort, however appreciating that we must give our all to drive the culture of safety, having key staff as safety champions will only help us and the programme”.

Safety champions are members of the workforce who promote safe working practices within their work place. Further as ambassadors of the safety effort, they strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and as well are members of the health and safety committee of the organisation and where their good examples act as positive reinforcement for all other employees. They are recognised within the workforce and on the prison campus and facilities by their yellow colour reflective vests denoting the area where they work.

At a recent meeting, the commissioner remarked on the complex nature of managing prison facilities and inmates, each as individuals who themselves have their own particular issues. Issues ranging from continuing criminal behaviour as recidivists, health issues, mental issues, behaviour issues where it has been observed that certain inmates do not adapt well to communal settings, mixing with others, poor hygiene, or lacking the appreciation to exist or take responsibility to keep their areas clean. Coupled with a lack of understanding in general by some staff and inmates alike as to the importance of a positive health and safety culture, means that the mountain aiming to be climbed is a steep one indeed!

For this reason an approach was directed by the commissioner that would see a gradual push forward of various initiatives to address non-compliance issues aimed at improving standards. The approach at this time is slated to take as a first phase approximately 12 months with a review and updated slated for the second quarter of 2023. One such initiative is the installation of a number of First Aid stations identified by the white safety cross. These first aid stations will not only have first aid boxes but as well stretchers and in some areas wheelchairs. The station locations have been selected where there are staff present.

Having ‘safety champions’ in place was followed by first aid training for both staff and selected inmates and will culminate this year for additional staff trained in CPR and First Aid starting November 22, 2022, by the Red Cross Society of Seychelles.

The regular maintenance meetings chaired by the commissioner as well addresses safety observations raised and action to address positively in a timely manner.

Working closely with the commissioner’s office for the coming activities will be the prison’s fire and safety officer as well as the head of security for the prison service as a table top exercise pre-planning meeting will be convened for early January 2023 followed by the actual exercise. The pre-planning meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss with other stakeholders such as fire and other emergency response services different possible scenarios.

Safety and health is not just for safety week but needs to be in practice every day especially within a prison setting.

Source: Seychelles Nation