125 juvenile inmates equipped with vocational skills in Wau

Inmates attend graduation ceremony in Wau Central Prison Vocational Training Center on Thursday [Photo by Awan]

By Awan Achiek

At least 125 juvenile inmates, prison wardens in Western Bahr el Ghazal State of South Sudan have been equipped withvocational skills at Wau Central Prison Vocational Training Center.

Ibrahim Surur, State Cabinet Affairs Minister of Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State, on Thursday during the graduation ceremony of these inmates and prison wardens urged them to utilize properly the skills and knowledge acquired.

“Those of you who have been awarded certificates today (Thursday) you know to work hard so that you and your families benefit from the skills you have acquired from this vocational training center,” said Surur in Wau town.

The graduates included, 14 male and 13 female prison wardens, and 83 male and 35 female juvenile inmates.

They completed nine months training in different fields and the inmates will be given start- up kits after release to enhance their ability to establish and sustain small-scale businesses.

Lt. Gen. Longar Wol, Director of Training and Human Resourceof National Prison Service applauded the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for supporting the Wauprison.

“No prisoner should be subjected to torture, cruel inhuman treatment, or punishment. The safety and security of prisoners shall be ensured at all times,” Gen. Longar said.

Dr. Samuel Doe, UNDP Resident Representative, urged the Wauprison service to expand this production scheme to generate revenue for the state.

“Young people should be sentenced to a life of neglect and doom because they served time for breaking the law,” said Samuel.

He disclosed that the skills and knowledge imparted to the trainees will help them generate income to support their families and the community.

“It benefits all of us to ensure that young people walk out of these prison gates transformed and empowered to live positively, engaging and contributing to the development of their families, communities, and society at large,” said Samuel.

Maj. Gen. Atok Atem Barac, Director of State Prisons, National Prison Service of South Sudan, said Wau vocational training is the second reformatory center training inmates.

“Within the short period of its operation, the center had contributed to transforming people in conflict with the law both adults and juveniles to become productive in the society,” said Atem.