A new detention facility for male detainees awaiting trial was officially opened on Wednesday, as part of reform initiatives being undertaken by the prison authorities.
The Detention Remand Facility, the country’s first, is located within a compound of the Seychelles police at Bois De Rose Avenue (formerly the Seychelles Coastguard base).
The facility, which was officially commissioned by the Minister for Home Affairs Mitcy Larue,
has cost R6.5 million and has been fully financed by the government of Seychelles.
Equipped to cater and provide custodial care to 80 male detainees at a time, the new facility houses 10 cells some with six, eight or 10 sleeping areas, dining room, offices for prison staff as well as visitors and exercise areas.
The facility is taking in only male detainees for the time being while female ones remain at their current location at Montagne Posée.
As for juveniles they remain within the custodial care of the Seychelles Police Force agreed upon by both the police and the prison.
But the new Detention Remand Facility will undergo extension in future to securely cater for the females and juveniles on remand.
Detainees who until now have been in custody at the Montagne Posée prison together with those convicts, will be gradually relocated to the new facility as soon as possible. And this will be done in phases considering the logistics involved in such a process.
The project has been conceptualised by previous ministers serving that portfolio. Presently, under the direction of Minister Larue, the facility has been delivered to the Seychelles Prison Services to modernise and improve the quality of care provided to those on remand following a court order. The facility also forms part of overall efforts to support modern reforms initiatives being put forward by the Seychelles Prisons Services, the Seychelles Judiciary and national leaders to improve the conditions of those detainees. It is under the supervison and care of an officer-in-charge and is in line with best international practices.
Present at the commissioning ceremony were Vice-President Vincent Meriton; Commissioner of Police Reginald Elizabeth; Superintendent of Prison, Vic Tirant; French ambassador Lionnel Majesté-Larrouy; other dignitaries and Seychelles Prison Services staff.
The ceremony started off with the raising of the National Flag and singing of the National Anthem, followed by a short brief on the project by Sam Dodin, Prisons Chief Inspector.
After the unveiling of the plaque by Minister Larue, the building was blessed by Catholic priest Father David Alcindor and Reverend Danny Elizabeth from the Anglican Church.
“Today, ladies and gentlemen, our investment in the facility, is not only fit for the purpose, but is a facility that will be in a safe and secure manner, better manage those remanded in custody as they await trial.
“We have delivered in part of the commissioning of this facility, for the work does continue, at a reform process that will eventually see a prison service as a product,” said Mr Tirant.
And when in service, Mr Tirant said, the facility will play a critical role in helping the Seychelles Prison Services better manage its main prison at Montagne Posée as it seeks to further decrease the overall population there. And this will be done by better classifying inmates, separating those in remand and those already convicted. And by providing through the reform process an opportunity for all its remands to improve themselves.
Mr Tirant reminded the staff attached to the facility to remember they are there to preserve law and order and to ensure the safety and security of those entrusted into their care and to be professional serving officers.
He remarked the facility will work with national stakeholders, the community, families, those serving out their sentences, so that a citizen who is able to function and contribute to Seychelles positively, is returned to society.
He also commended Minister Larue on her leadership and guidance and for having identified with the Seychelles Prison Services key targets and objectives that would enable them to arrive at a better prison services.
“Even if there is more work to do, I am confident that, together with the partnership and support of stakeholders, a better delivery of service will be achieved in the Seychelles Prison Services.
