WESTERN EQUATORIA - Sergeant Emmanual Abdala has served in South Sudan’s prison service for more than two decades. But throughout his long career he has never had access training to assist his professional development.

That changed this week when Sergeant Abdala and 39 of his colleagues, nine of whom are women, were given three days of intensive training by Rule of Law and corrections advisers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s (UNMISS) field office in Yambio.

“This training has helped me acquire the skills I need to improve my work, now and into the future,” stated Sergeant Abdala.

The prison wardens from Maridi, Mvolo, and Mundri learned administration skills, including record-keeping and budgeting.

They also developed a strong understanding of the “Mandela” rules, based on the experience of Nelson Mandela who spent 27 years in prison, which outline minimum prison conditions, provide guidance, and set clear benchmarks for prison staff on how to uphold safety, security and human dignity.

“This training has been a unique experience for me. It has transformed my understanding of my role and my approach to my work,” said Sergeant Alice Muzika, who promised to share her new skills with colleagues when she returns to Maridi County Prison.   

The Director of Prison Services in Mundri West County, Colonel Watts Sebit, said it was challenging for national and state authorities to provide training for prison personnel due to conflict and economic pressures.

“I recognize the efforts of UNMISS as a partner in providing this support. This should not be the first and last such training. We need to continue to transform the prison service across Western Equatoria and South Sudan at large to meet international standards,” he said.

UNMISS corrections adviser, Jenifa Umoma, said it was important for prisons to maintain a high standards of record-keeping relating to inmates and their treatment as well as having the capacity to provide rehabilitation support so that inmates fully reintegrate and contribute to society on their release.

“We urge the government to provide the necessary tools and training for prison wardens to be efficient and effective in their work,” said Jenifa Umoma. “It’s also important that the community does not discriminate against those who are being released from prison and gives them the opportunity they deserve to transform their lives.”