The rehabilitation programme set up on Coetivy to help inmates re-integrate better in society after their sentence is proving a success.
More than six months have passed since the introduction of the “open-prison”.
The incentive is meant to help the inmates re-assess their sense of responsibility towards society and prepare them for the road to freedom, says the superintendent of the Seychelles Prison Authority, Maxime Tirant.
Mr Tirant said even though the setting on Coetivy is “open” compared to Montagne Posee, there are strict boundaries to ensure the prisoners do not overstep their restricted area.
Jean Adrienne, the inspector in charge of the programme on the island says:
“Whether it is Coetivy or Montagne Posee, a prison remains a prison.”
The prisoners’ daily duties are cleaning-up of the island, agriculture, carpentry, broom-making and fishing.
The rehabilitation programme is on a voluntary basis but the inmate has to meet the necessary criteria, before he gets accepted.
The type of offence and jail term are two determining factors. A prisoner becomes eligible if he or she has a short sentence and is in for a light offence like theft compared to manslaughter.
A committee evaluates the general conduct of the applicant, his sense of discipline and obedience, and his behaviour towards his fellow inmates and prison staff.
They also ensure he doesn’t have any pending court case before passing the test for Coetivy.
The chief executive officer of the Islands Development Company Glenny Savy says the presence of the inmates is a great help to the IDC as the company’s workforce on the island is small.
The prisoners’ help with general cleaning and maintenance is welcome now that tourism development projects are to start soon.
From: Seychelles Nation
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