Africa-Press – Mauritius. A Workshop on the theme Prisons, Drugs and Mental Health in Mauritius for Prison officers, was held yesterday at the Anelia Hotel in Flic en Flac. Organised by Le Chantier, the University of Leicester and the University of Guyana, in collaboration with the Mauritius Prison Service (MPS), the workshop forms part of the interdisciplinary global study Prisons, Drugs and Mental Health (PDMH), funded by the Wellcome Trust.
A total of 30 participants attended the session, with a view to introducing the research team to Prison officers and sharing historical documents related to prisons for discussion and insight.
The ceremony was graced by the Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Raj Rughoobeer and other personalities. The workshop was conducted with the objective of understanding how historical prison issues continue to influence the present-day experiences of prison officers, and how research can support their well-being and professional responsibilities. Participants were introduced to the historical foundations of the PDMH project and engaged in discussions on prisons, drug use and mental health from both past and contemporary perspectives.
In his address, the Deputy Commissioner of Prisons described the workshop as an important step for the MPS, as it paved the way for deeper reflection and modern improvements. He explained that the collaboration with the University of Leicester, the University of Guyana and Le Chantier would help the Prison Service better understand how past systems, especially those from the British colonial period, continue to influence prisons today. Although many improvements have been made since Independence, he noted that challenges related to punishment methods, drug use and mental health still need to be addressed through new and informed approaches. The workshop is an opportunity to gather proper research and evidence to support future reforms, he said.
Mr Rughoobeer further pointed out that the research includes several countries with similar histories, namely Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Seychelles. According to him, this shared study is expected to support the development of better practices for rehabilitation, mental health services and staff welfare. On that score, he outlined that prison officers play an important role in this process, as their experiences and feedback will help shape the way forward. The project will pave the way for the introduction of modern programmes that meet international standards and reflect the vision of a forward looking country.
