OSCE Centre supports seminars for prison wardens to prevent religious extremism and radicalization in Kyrgyzstan's prisons

BISHKEK, 13 September 2010 - A series of OSCE-supported training seminars for 154 prison officers in Moldovanovka, Belovodskoe, Karakol and Bishkek focusing on preventing extremism and radicalization in prisons started today.

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek organized the one-day seminars in close co-operation with the State Penal Service of the Kyrgyz Republic and the independent analytical research centre Religion, Rights and Politics. The seminars aim to strengthen the skills of Kyrgyz penitentiary system officers, with a particular focus on personnel directly involved in inmates' education, to prevent religious extremism and radicalization. The courses also aim to strengthen co-operation between governmental structures and civil society.

Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: "Prisoners anywhere are highly vulnerable to messages of radicalization. The OSCE Centre, within the wider context of its counter-terrorism and penal programmes, offers these training courses to help prevent the spread of violent extremism."

Sheishenbek Baizakov, the Head of the Kyrgyz State Service of Execution of Punishment, added: "The spread of religious extremism and radicalism in the penal system is especially dangerous because it could involve criminal forms of behaviour and could hamper the reintegration of inmates into society. Without sufficient precautions, there is a risk that inmates can be easily manipulated."

In addition to training, the OSCE Centre in Bishkek will donate five computers and teaching materials to the five prison complexes where the seminar participants work.