Africa-Press – Seychelles. The Seychelles Prison Service will once again hold its Prison service day observations in a few days, on Friday September 8 and Saturday September 9, 2023.
This year’s observation provides an opportunity to not only recognise staff and the good work performed, but as well other initiatives underway and in support of rehabilitation of inmates. The theme for this year’s observation is: ‘We engage!’
Previously a fixture within the prison service’s calendar of events, the Prison Service Day went on a hiatus before the event was brought back in September 2021.The last such event was held on February 3, 2009 under then Superintendent of Prisons, Gelage Hoareau.
The return of this event is now observed each September and serves as a key milestone for the service each year, demonstrating continuity in effort and respect towards sound traditions.
Among the guests for the occasion, there will be a special invited guest of honour who will witness the unveiling of a portrait of a former head of the prison service. This event will feature in future prison service days where at each opportunity a portrait will be unveiled until each former service head has been recognised in this honourable manner.
The main feature, however, for the main day will be recognition of staff and their professional service to date. Further, a re-dedication mass for the prison patron saint, St. Adrian, will be held as his feast day falls on September 8.
Training class two and three, comprising eight officers will complete their probation and be confirmed, while a number of staff will receive their good conduct ribbons, or long service ribbons. Special certificates of recognition as well will be handed to those staff who have excelled at their support of the rehabilitation of inmates, and for training completed or assignments conducted locally or overseas. There will be a special mention as well for initiatives delivered and carried out by members of staff, who brought out the best of the prison service to the public domain. There will be a special meal for staff, inmates and remandees on that day.
The following day, on Saturday September 9, 2023, volunteer staff will spend the day at a selected orphanage spending time with the children there and interacting positively with games, a cookout and as well helping to clean up their playground. Giving back to the community is also one of the key priorities of the prison service day.
“For the past several years we have been working to improve the image of the Seychelles Prison Service and how we deliver our work. The work is arduous as many who are convicted face chronic medical issues, addictions, or other behavioural issues. As well, it has been our pleasure for the past six years to present the service before the public at our observations of the Nelson Mandela Day, recalling our most recent held on July 18, 2023 at the University of Seychelles. We are on path to ‘Restorative Justice’ and working with key stakeholders to address mental health issues of inmates in our care. Much work lays ahead of us as we prepare to move from a prison service to the Seychelles Corrections Service, a momentous change that confirms our intent to move forward and progress. An approach at developing a training academy with key partners will surely be a key ingredient to achieving this. Changes to command will occur, however the way forward must continue and improvements realised,” said Raymond St. Ange, commissioner of Seychelles Prison Service.
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