Fourth observation of Nelson Mandela Day |01 July 2021
A sample of the invitation which will be sent out
‘Improving prison standards and rehabilitation’
The Seychelles Prison Service has confirmed that its fourth observation of the ‘Nelson Mandela Day’ and recognising standards for humane treatment of prisoners, will again this year be jointly organised with the James Mancham Peace & Diplomacy Research Institute and the University of Seychelles but it will be a virtual event.
The virtual event will be held on Friday July 23, 2021 starting at 2pm Seychelles time.
This year’s observation will be held under the theme, ‘Improving prison standards and rehabilitation’.
It should be recalled that the Seychelles Prison Service first observed ‘Nelson Mandela Day’ on July 18, 2018, a date recognised internationally to remember and commemorate Nelson Mandela. The prison service at that time announced its intentions to further align its operations to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of prisoners, or the ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ following a directive by the Superintendent of Prisons Raymond St. Ange.
On December 2015 a United Nations General Assembly, supported by the Republic of Seychelles, following a recommendation by a panel of experts, said that the revised rules would be known as the ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’, this to honour the legacy of the late president of South Africa and the 27 years he spent as an inmate. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), custodian of the Standard Minimum Rules, closely followed the revision process and serves as the secretariat.
The virtual event confirmed for this year will be moderated by Ms Diana Benoit of the University of Seychelles. It will provide an opportunity for invitees to present and discuss examples of best practices.
A post meeting report will be provided and further updates given at the Seychelles Prison Service week, which will be held as from September 6, 2021. More information of the service week will be provided later.
For more information on the event please contact the office of the Superintendent with attention to Ms Noella Lajoie, personal secretary to the Superintendent of Prisons. Email: nlajoie@prisonservice.gov.sc or by calling 4323644 asking for extension 116.
Press release from the Seychelles Prison Service