With this morning’s appearance on SBC’s ‘Bonzour Sesel’ by the Superintendent of Prisons, Raymond St Ange, accompanied by the principal probation officer and head of psychosocial support and rehabilitation at the prison service, Elsa Nourrice, the Seychelles Prison Service officially kicks off the return of its Prison Service Week with a series of activities.
Previously a fixture within the prison service’s calendar of events years past with the last event held on February 2009 under then Superintendent of Prisons, Gelage Hoareau, the return of Prison Service Week will now be observed each September and will serve as a key milestone for the service each year going forward.
Earlier in August and as a lead up to the service week, visits by family to inmates and remands re-started, under Covid-19 management protocols. Further, a soft launch of the tuck shop at SPS Montagne Posée was accomplished.
For this week, the prison service will engage or commit to various community support activities involving not only staff, but as well, those convicted and those who have to complete court ordered community service.
Officers will as well support further blood donation efforts and carry out a tree planting exercise at SPS Montagne Posée.
The activities will end with an exhibition on the history of the prison service, a confirmation to post ceremony, a promotion, a special reflection and re-dedication to the patron saint of prisons, culminating with a special mass at the church at Grande Anse Mahé.
“Last Friday prison service senior managers participated with other departments within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in a presentation and way forward by Minister Errol Fonseka, Minister for Internal Affairs, where the minister outlined his strategy going forward by the ministry and what he would like to see achieved. Service, professionalism, forward planning, training, well thought out budgets, were some areas addressed by the minister. The re-launch of the Prison Service Week will in part be our way of supporting the minister’s vision and communicating loudly and clearly that we intend to deliver and continue to improve,” said Donald Zialor, programme coordinator, Project Phoenix Rehabilitation program, Seychelles Prison Service, and member of the prison service organising committee.
Source: Seychelles Nation