Prison service launches health and safety champions, signs policy |22 April 2022

Group photo of the safety champions as commissioner St Ange signs the new health and safety policy document

The Seychelles Prison Service has reached a new milestone now that it has launched the safety champions, a new initiative to manage health and safety at the prison.

This was during a meeting held on April 13 at the Montagne Posée prison during which the commissioner of prisons, Raymond St Ange also signed the prison’s health and safety policy.

This was in the presence of members of the prison service senior management.

Safety champions are members of the workforce who promote safe working practices within their work place.  Furthermore, as ambassadors of the health and safety effort, they strictly adhere to the safety guidelines. As well as being members of the health and safety committee of the organisation, their good examples give an encouragement and motivate their fellow employees.  

“Certainly it is the responsibility of all employees of the prison service to support and actively work to promote a healthy and safe work environment and I encourage all officers and staff to be part of the positive effort.  However, I appreciate that we must do our utmost to drive the culture of safety, having key staff as safety champions will only help us and boost the programme,” Mr St Ange said.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for the commissioner to announce the formation of a special working committee, an integrated HIV/Aids & Viral Hepatitis committee comprising representatives from the National Aids Council (Nac), the department of health, the division for substance abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation (DSATPR), the HIV/Aids Support Organisation (Haso) and members of the Seychelles prison service. 

This working committee will drive and manage a plan agreed to in 2021, to better address inmates’ health issues and concerns in relations to HIV/Aids and viral hepatitis. 

More details will be provided once the committee holds its first meeting.

The safety champions are sergeant Vicky Rose from the psychosocial services and rehabilitation department; prison officer Ronny Balthilde from the supply and logistics department; prison officer Wilna Laurette, nurse assistant attached to the prison’s medical unit; sergeant Winsley Leon from the custodial department; and corporal Ivan Nassibou assigned to the maintenance and projects department.  Corporal Nassibou is also the prison service’s fire and safety officer.   Other safety champions who will cover other areas of the prison’s operations will be announced in due course.

Press release from Prison Service