Corrections Officers to be familiarized with 'Mandela Rules'

Home Minister Imran Abdulla has stated that Corrections Officers will be educated and familiarized with the famous "Mandela Rules" of communicating with prisoners in jail.

The rules set out by the United Nations is the lowest standard of communication accepted by the United Nations and were refined in 2015. Home Minister Imran Abdulla stated that Corrections Officers will undergo this training to familiarise themselves with the "Mandela Rules" at the annual ceremony of Maldives Correctional Services held in Maafushi prison last night.

TheHome Minister stated that this would change the whole perception of Corrections Officers on the prison system. The Home Minister also stated that the actions and words of the Corrections Officers need to showcase the government policies as they are the ones implementing the policies inside the prison.

The Home Minister then stated that every Corrections Officer would be given a copy of the translated "Mandela Rules" by the end of the year. 

"We are working on providing the training, programs and other technical aid for you (Corrections Officers) to familiarise with these standards. You should not be seen as someone capable of providing such a community service if you cannot conduct and communicate with the people under the custody of the government according to the international set standards." said the Minister while speaking to Corrections Officers at the ceremony.

Imran also stated that the minimum standards for prison facilities will be published by the end of the year by the Inspector of Correctional Services. He also stated that most of the work on this was already completed.