100 prisons officers to undergo intensive training

100 prisons warders on Thursday started a two-month training programme on professionalisation of their services. The 80 male and 20 female warders are undergoing an intensive programme at Iduha training centre in Rwamagana District, Eastern Province.Addressing the warders before kicking off their training, Mary Gahonzire, the Deputy Commissioner General of Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), said the officers had spent long in the field without re-training saying it was the moment for them to enhance their skills.“I urge you to cooperate with your instructors so that you acquire more knowledge and skills in how to manage prisons,” he told the warders.She emphasised the need for prison officers to act professionally and humanely with prisoners in their charge.The training is the second in a series of prison’s officers’ refresher courses following the first batch that concluded their training in January 2012.“As prisons officers, they have to fully understand their role because we are the forth government institution within the justice system. We play a key role in justice management, rehabilitation of prisoners to ensure that there is no re-offending or recidivism in society,” she explained.One of the trainees, Emmanuel Manzi, expressed his eagerness to acquire more expertise in prison management.“This is an opportunity to get more skills on how to handle prisoners, especially unruly and violent ones,” he added.The warders will be trained by instructors from Prisons, Police, Media, and Ombudsman’s office, Human Rights Commission, Unity and Reconciliation, among others.

National

100 prisons officers to undergo intensive training