Thursday, July 30, 2015
General Bashir Mohamed Jama (Goobe), Commissioner General of the Custodial Corps,
Mogadishu – Officials from the United Nations Assistance Mission (UNSOM) recently visited Somali capital's Central Prison to assess their current status and to discuss means of providing support to ensure provision of effective correctional service.
Built in 1930, Mogadishu Central Prison is the country's main correctional facility, and faces major challenges including congestion of inmates, limited infrastructure, lack of basic facilities such as sleeping quarters, access to clean water, adequate food and a conducive environment that would facilitate humane treatment and rehabilitation of inmates.
Somalia has 10 functional prisons – Mogadishu, Baidoa, Beletweyne, Kismayo, Marka, Berweyn, Bulbarde, Hudur, Afgoye, and Afgoy Farms.
UNSOM through its Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group extends technical support to boost the capacity of the Custodial Corps, support development of infrastructure and coordinate international efforts to assist the custodial service.
Col. Mohamed Sheikh Omar, Commander of Mogadishu Central Prison, was glad to receive UNSOM officials at the premises. "They have inspected the projects. They have been extending support, including construction of kitchens, the perimeter wall for improved security, construction of the drainage and sewerage system as well as the water tank that is under construction, among others," he said.
Col Omar is also appealing to fellow Somalis to lend a hand in rebuilding the facilities. "As Somalis, we have also appealed to our business community and the universities in Somalia for support and the response so far has been positive," said Col. Mohamed Sheikh Omar.
General Bashir Mohamed Jama (Goobe), Commissioner General of the Custodial Corps, says that the needs of the correctional facilities are enormous and must be addressed urgently in order for the sector to be effective in supporting the overall effort towards restoration of peace in the country.
"The most important duties are rehabilitation of inmates so that the prisoner, when he gets back to the community, he has changed his behaviour for the better, which means he is educated, he is caring and has undergone vocational training; those are the most important qualities," said Gen Bashir.
The prison's administration is in the process of improving the infrastructure to give more space for inmates, prison security as well as conduct rehabilitation programs including imparting of technical skills with the assistance of the local business community and the UN.
UNSOM officials also underscored the importance of effective correctional facilities to avoid relapse into crime.
"I think this is going to inform the government, the business community and the international community that there is a lot more to be done in the prisons to save our brothers and sisters who are inside here and that it is our duty to bring these people out of the prisons better than when they went in," said Francis Benon, UNSOM Corrections Officer.