26, July, 2012 – Acknowledging their work under hardship conditions to strengthen prisons and criminal justice in South Sudan, 59 UNMISS staff were awarded medals today in Juba.

Among their achievements, UNMIS Correction Officers had assisted the South Sudan Prison Commission build Bor Prison, refurbish a clinic in Juba, teach women prisoners sewing, build a training academy and conduct a range of workshops, UNMISS Deputy Representative of the Secretary-General Raisedon Zenenga told the gathering.

"There are also many gaps that we need to address together," Mr. Zenenga said. "Our support should help in building a prisons service that contributes to the establishment of safe and secure communities that respect the rule of law in South Sudan."

Director General of the National Prison Service Abel MakoiWol agreed that challenges remained, but said they could be overcome with UN and international agency support, especially in the areas of staff capacity, vocational skills training and broad-based social welfare programmes.

According to the UNMISS mandate, UN Corrections Advisors are tasked with supporting the government in strengthening prisons and criminal justice systems to end prolonged, arbitrary detention, and establishing a safe, secure and humane prison system.