More than two hundred inmates and prison staff have been given vocational trailing and education that provides former criminals the tools needed to succeed outside of jail, the United Nations Development Programme said in a statement today.
The program was funded by UNDP to give inmates education in how to make furniture, and give prison staff training in how to take over the training for themselves.
The training helped to “promote prisoners’ rehabilitation through the establishment of a pilot Vocational Training Centre at Juba Central Prison.,” a statement from UNDP read. “The centre aims to reduce recidivism by imparting technical skills to inmates that enable them to earn a living and facilitate their rehabilitation as contributors to society when released,”
UNDP said that it died to ensure sustainability and promote indigenous expertise in South Sudan. During the graduation ceremony, the trainees displayed beds, door frames, wooden cabinets, farming tools, and clothing they had learned to make during the training.
“I joined the tailoring course in February and was released from prison in April. I am back in Kajo-Keji and have started my small tailoring shop to support my family,” said Tiodolar Kinden, a recent inmate. “I am really happy to get this opportunity to learn and do something for myself and my family. This course changed my life.”