A course designed to encouraged staff  and managers of correctional services was concluded  yesterday at RCS training school in Rwamagana.

Several prison officers and managers from various prisons in the country participated in a specially-designed one month-long training course on prisoner care, custody and management.

According to the Commissioner General of Prisons (CGP), Major General Paul Rwarakabije, the course included best practices in prisons and encouraged prison managers to make a difference in the prisons they manage.

Addressing hundreds of the participants, local leaders and security officers, Rwarakabije said that in today’s fast changing world, there was need for highly efficient management of prisons.

He said that effective management of prisons was important for sustained economic development, adding that it was the key to developing modern prison systems and principles.

The officer added that prison services demand new knowledge, skills and leadership abilities in order to meet the new challenges and take advantage of the new opportunities in prison management. 

"The course targeted staff dealing with day-to-day running of correctional centers…it is expected to increase production, efficiency in management and rehabilitation of prisoners,” he said.

"We shall continue with the process of capacity building …this will help staff to improve services and general production”.

Michael Kamugisha, the Commandant of the school, said the course was timely, adding that it helped participants to gain some of the fundamental skills.

"The course helped trainees develop proficiency in ability to develop financially viable programmes and projects and how to gain the support of the community.  The Leadership skills they got will enable them to deal with complex issues in managing the prisons,” he said.