Seychelles gets its first youth offenders’ facility |06 February 2024
Accompanied by Mr St Ange, President Ramkalawan, VP Afif, Minister Fonseka, First Lady Linda Ramkalawan and other guests toured the facility (Photo: Romano Laurence)
Praslin welcomed the country’s first ever youth offenders’ facility yesterday.
The facility at Amitié was inaugurated by President Wavel Ramkalawan and Minister for Internal Affairs Roy Fonseka in the presence of First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, Vice President Ahmed Afif, several ministers, commissioner of Seychelles Prison Services Raymond St Ange, members of the Seychelles National Assembly, representatives from the judiciary, officers of the Attorney General’s Office, chairperson of the Prison Advisory Board and other stakeholders.
“Today we are here to witness the opening of the prison services’ first ever facility which will manage with care, dignity, and the seriousness needed, those juveniles convicted by a court of law,” commissioner of Seychelles Prison Services Raymond St Ange shared in his address.
“Today is as well testament to a vision communicated barely two years ago, when various stakeholders met to discuss youth crime prevention. As a result of that meeting and technical meetings held subsequent to that, we are ready to open one of the options put before us; that being the youth offenders’ facility,” Mr St Ange added.
The centre is expected to be a collaborative effort with the social services, youth department, department of education, children’s council, department of employment and other important stakeholders, explained Mr St Ange.
Late last year, two current staff of the prison services travelled to Israel to get a better understanding about how to better manage youth in distress.
The unveiling of the commemorative plaque by President Ramkalawan and Minister Fonseka was followed by the exchange of commissioning certificate by the officer-in-charge of the youth offenders’ facility, inspector Stephanie Lewis and Minister Fonseka.
Minister Fonseka thanked all stakeholders for their support in the setting up and in guaranteeing the smooth running of the facility. “A village of hope, and in a collaborative approach with education, youth, family affairs, health, ministries, departments and other interested stakeholders, we will be a formidable team to support a concept and effort for vulnerable children. Addressing their trauma, and reinforcing positive values,” said Mr Fonseka.
“Having this dual track system and approach will give opportunity for our younger citizens to get off a life of truancy, delinquency and back on track to a life of countless positive possibilities and outcomes with their families. We want to see all our youth succeeding in life, and in doing so, place this youth offenders’ facility out of business,” added Minister Fonseka.
On his part, President Ramkalawan reiterated the need for a strong management team for the facility.
“Criminality amongst the youth is everyone’s business. It is a great challenge to cater for youth who will be sent to the facility but it is one which can only be tackled by the joining of hands of all stakeholders including the community. A child is born in a family but nurtured by a community. The influence the community exerts on the child carries immense impacts,” said President Ramkalawan.
He stated that the facility will not solve all the country’s problems. “Actually if we do not make proper use of it, it can become the source of one of our biggest problems,” noted the president who called on all those responsible for the facility to ensure its proper functioning.
“As we seek to protect our children convicted in the court of law, let us ensure that we ourselves are not pointing them in the wrong direction. We will be adopting a zero tolerance policy for any unethical behaviour from staff member,” added President Ramkalawan.
The centre can cater for youths between the ages of 14 and 17 convicted by the court only for criminal offences. It includes separate dormitories for male and female clients and can host up to 13 females and 20 males with around 15 staff. It also comprises classrooms, a dining area, holding cells, sports area and vocational training areas and is expected to host curriculum studies as well as therapeutic music and arts sessions.
The St Matthews Church of Grand Anse Praslin donated some rehabilitation books to the facility and Reverend Dr Simon Fred blessed the premises. He also vowed their support to the facility which is yet to receive its first clients.
The ceremony ended with a tour of the premises. To note that the same premises hosted the youth rehabilitation treatment centre (YRTC) – a similar approach at rehabilitation for minors on a path to delinquent behaviour in 1991. However, it did not operate as a prison and was later moved to North East Point on Mahe where it permanently closed down in 2008.
Nadia Bedier
