OSCE trains newly recruited prison staff in Kyrgyzstan

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan, 29 April 2016 – Some 46 newly recruited prison staff today concluded a two-week capacity-building training course organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Kyrgyz State Service on Execution of Punishment held from 18 to 29 April 2016. 

The course covered topics such as the rights and duties of prison staff, internal regulations, security and safety, ethical standards, combating violent extremism, as well as drills, and weapons and physical training. The participants also familiarized with the country’s  legislation on penitentiary system.

“The OSCE Centre supports the professional training of prison staff on issues related to OSCE commitments and international and national human rights obligations, and in enhancing their professional competences,” said Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “Our work in supporting OSCE commitments in this area is closely linked to our backing for a comprehensive reform of the criminal justice system to advance the respect for the rule of law.”

Minbaev Mirbek, Head of Remand Prison Number 53 of the Kyrgyz State Service on Execution of Punishment, said: “The course equipped the newly-recruited prison staff with the necessary basic skills and improving their skills in effective management and working processes. Our extensive co-operation with the OSCE Centre plays an important role in reforming the penal execution system and in protecting human rights.”

The training course was conducted in the premises of the Convoy and Security Department under the Kyrgyz State Service on Execution of Punishment in Jalal-Abad, while practical exercises were held at Colony Number 10 in Jalal-Abad and Remand Prison Number 25 in Osh. The premises were constructed with the support of OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The course is part of the OSCE project on supporting the implementation of the National Strategy on the Development of Penitentiary System “Umut-2” which aims to address human rights and safety in penitentiary establishments by supporting the capacity-building of prison staff and modernization of the penitentiary system.