OSCE promotes human rights and safety in Kyrgyzstan’s prisons

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek held a training course for heads of units of correctional institutions under Kyrgyzstan’s state penitentiary service from 21 May to 12 June 2012.

The course, held in the training centre for prison and probation staff in Bishkek, brought together 11 participants and covered a wide range of topics such as international standards of human rights, ethics and code of conduct for prison officers, and security and safety in prisons.

Theory and practice of rehabilitating prisoners, and preparing prisoners for release were covered in the course.  Other aspects of work such as prevention of torture and corruption were also discussed under the guidance of an international expert.

“The management of penitentiary establishments learned what they needed so they can carry out their daily job of running correctional institutions to a high standard,” said Miroslaw Nowak, the Penitentiary Reform Adviser at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “Promoting human rights and security in the prison system requires both theoretical knowledge and that of international practices in this field.” 

This course is part of a larger OSCE project supporting the reform of Kyrgyzstan’s penitentiary system. In 2010 the training centre for prison and probation staff was established by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.