Prison Service gears up for its fifth Nelson Mandela Day   |09 July 2022

Former Chief Justice, Her Lordship Mathilda Twomey, arriving for the Nelson Mandela Day event in 2020

Observed internationally every July 18, the prison service has used the day to further communicate its work and progress as it aligns its operations to the internationally recognised ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ for the humane treatment of prisoners, a United Nations minimum standard.

Once again and for the fourth year consecutive the event will be hosted by the University of Seychelles’ James R. Mancham Peace & Diplomacy Research Institute with this year’s theme being ‘Mental & Physical Health as Bridges for Peace’ on Friday July 22, 2022.

“I am extremely pleased that once again in partnership with the University of Seychelles that we are holding this event. In fact, it will be our fifth year since launching this initiative, the first being July 18, 2018 at an event held at our own headquarters at the Seychelles Prison Services (SPS) Montagne Posée prison. Every year after it has grown and cemented itself in our calendar of events as an annual must do,” said Commissioner St. Ange.

This year the prison service is focusing on “health” as an important “must discuss and must address” issue as it both observes and manages increasing health issues both with the physical and the mental health of its clients, those convicted or remanded into custody awaiting trial.

“Not because the Nelson Mandela Rules for the humane treatment of prisoners has as a rule the management of health of inmates but rather because it is the duty and our obligation to do so that we are stepping up our efforts with the assistance of key stakeholders. The Ministry of Health as one key support, we launched on May 20, 2022 an integrated committee on HIV/Aids and viral hepatitis as we implement our roadmap that was jointly worked on,” added the commissioner.

There is certainly a link between addiction to drugs, alienation from family and community, aggressive behaviour and criminal activity leading to mistrust and lack of “peace” within communities and as a result of unhealthy lifestyle a direct effect on health this being the physical and mental.

As a result our focus this year into the next is to work closer with key partners, family members of those convicted and victims alike, so that as part of the rehabilitation process an inmate once released has a better chance at reintegration and less likely to re-offend or get back on drugs.

Press release from the Seychelles Prison Service