OSCE supports rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicted prisoners in Kyrgyzstan

From 19 to 21 May 2014, the OSCE Centre in Bishkek has supported a two-day training course for 20 staff of the “Atlantis” rehabilitation centres for drug and alcohol-addicted prisoners located in seven penitentiary establishments around Kyrgyzstan.

The course took place at the Training Centre of the State Penitentiary Service in Bishkek.  Three psychologists from the Stefan Batory Foundation from Poland taught participants how to motivate drug addicts at different stages of rehabilitation, work with ethical consequences and develop self-esteem of inmates.

The “Atlantis” rehabilitation centres have been operating in Kyrgyz prisons with support of the OSCE and the Soros Foundation for ten years already.

“The fast spreading of drug addicted people is a problem of vital importance in the Kyrgyz Republic set against the heightened security threats in Central Asia,” said Deputy Head of the Centre in Bishkek John MacGregor at a ceremony in one of the rehabilitation centres in Chui oblast marking ten years of the centre’s work. “Rehabilitation programmes for addicted prisoners are crucial to prevent the spreading of criminal activities inside the prisons. We are ready to continue providing support to the Kyrgyz Government in building a safe society in Kyrgyzstan”.

Colonel Sovetbek Arbaev, Chair of the State Service on Execution of Punishment, said: “The continuous support that the OSCE Centre in Bishkek has been providing to the State Penitentiary Service in promoting the rule of law in Kyrgyzstan’s penitentiary system contributes to our efforts in promoting greater security in the country.”

“Atlantis” Rehabilitation centers are located in seven penitentiary establishments; some 150 prisoners from across Kyrgyzstan are receiving treatment there. The purpose of these centres’ work is to assist prisoners in adjusting better to new life circumstances.  Support currently provided to “Atlantis” centres is part of an OSCE project to promote security and human rights in prisons.