Prison rehabilitation programmes get EU boost |30 October 2014

The Montagne Posée Prison has got new facilities to enhance the rehabilitation programmes for the inmates through a donation from the European Union (EU).

It was through the Friends of Prison Association that the donation came to materialise and the inmates has a new rehabilitation centre which entail an IT room, counselling room, a studio. The donation has also allowed the once indoor basketball court to be converted into an auditorium where the inmates can use for talent shows.

Superintendent of Prisons, Maxime Tirant, accompanied by Aldo Dell’Ariccia, chargé d’affaires of the EU to Seychelles, Mauritius and Comores had the honour of unveiling the plaque to mark the opening of the facilities.

The ceremony took place in the presence of French ambassador Genevieve Iancu, chairperson of Friends of Prison Marie-Claire Elisabeth, Bishop emeritus French Chang-Him, British high commission representatives, members of Friends of Prison, staff and inmates of the Montagne Posée Prison.

Addressing those present the vice-chairperson of the Friends of Prison John Marie said “Rehabilitation is to a large extent an expectation that someone will change for the better, will turn away from certain activities and contribute positively towards the betterment of their family, community and society”.
“Friends of Prison is very proud and happy to have facilitated this project which is in line with our main objective namely contributing to the rehabilitation of prisoners,” Mr Marie added.

Thanking the EU and the Friends of Prison, Superintendent Tirant said: “This centre has come to us at a right time whereby the prison is extending its rehabilitation programmes and finding more ways to help prisoners develop their existing or discover their skills and talents.”

“Prison should not be seen as a place of punishment, a place of revenge but it should rather be a place where convicts undergo a rehabilitative process so that they can be reintegrated into the society,” Mr Dell’Ariccia said in his address.

Speaking on behalf of all the prisoners at the Montagne Posée prison, an inmate said: “This new rehabilitation centre is testimony to the concerted effort required to give inmates the guidance and support to make that change for the better. On behalf of my fellow inmates I would like to commit ourselves to making the most of these facilities in our rehabilitation process and we also pledge to look after the facilities and as a sign of our gratitude we pledge to seek to become better individuals.”

After the ceremony the guests were guided on a tour of the facilities by Superintendent Tirant.