New group of prison officers start training   |23 August 2022

Road March underway

Not everyone has the stamina or the ability to work in a challenging and at times hostile environment such as a prison or remand facility but a group of eight Seychellois have now started training with the Seychelles Prison Service to become prison officers after they successfully completed six months probation as trainees.

Under a refined approach, the new trainee officers started their first day at the SPS Montagne Posée as training class 01160822, as they underwent their first few days of induction visits to the facilities at Montagne Posée and the facilities at Bois de Rose and were  introduced to all the officers and units.

The training for the new probationary staff will include physical exercises, road marches, first aid and CPR training, online certificate course in the Nelson Mandela Rules through a UNODC platform, unarmed self-defense and handcuffing, understanding the prison regulations, operating procedures, the Prison Act, aspects of the Seychelles Constitution, and other on-the- job training components. This will culminate in final appraisal and interview by senior management on February 16, 2023 and after that they will complete their final day on what is called a ‘stress test day’.

If successful, the trainees will move for confirmation to post and be officially welcomed as new prison officers shortly thereafter.

“We are placing great emphasis on this approach of training with this first group of trainee officers in this refined way,” said Diana Asba of the service’s human resource department. “Certainly we are aiming to improve standards, professionalism of staff and service, we seek for  employees who work with integrity and who can represent not only the service well but as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” Ms Asba added. 

To accomplish this, the prison service will also focus its effort at supporting staff for continued training opportunities and according to its own training plan.  As an example, a number of staff is currently following certificate and diploma courses at The Guy Morel Institute (TGMI).

Class 01160822 has seven male and one female trainee taking part and coming from various professions with skills sets deemed important for the prison service at this time.

Those interested in a career with the prison service can always seek more information by contacting the human resource department on 4303200 or by visiting www.prisonservice.gov.sc

Contributed