OSCE Centre in Bishkek

From 10 June to 6 July 2013, 72 Kyrgyz prison officials participated in a series of coaching classes in Bishkek that covered such issues as dog training, first aid and fire prevention. The more than 100 hours of hands-on instruction were organized with support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and targeted officials from Kyrgyzstan’s State Penitentiary Service (GSIN).

The seminars included lessons on modern methods to train dogs to search for drugs, weapons and ammunition; fire-prevention, evacuation procedures and standards; first aid; and fire awareness. The officers also learned about safety norms and their own role in maintaining and repairing power supply infrastructure. The personnel of the GSIN Security and Convoy Department received military training that dealt with ethical standards, fugitive search practices, and firearms safety education.

The classes are part of an OSCE project to strengthen the institutional capacity of Kyrgyzstan’s penitentiary system. They took place on the base of GSIN’s Training Centre in Bishkek, which was established in 2010 with support of the OSCE Centre.