Mogadishu - The Somali Ministry of Justice and Custodial Corps with the support of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have today kick started training for Somali prisons officers in the capital, Mogadishu.

The training is being attended by custodial corps officers and focuses on the treatment of detainees and prisoners in the prison system. The 3-day course is part of a long term program to strengthen the skills of the Somali prisons officer to meet international human rights standards.

UNSOM is mandated, among other things, to support the Federal Government's efforts to strengthen rule of law institutions.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, UNSOM's Chief of Joint Justice and Corrections Section Ms. Mitch Dufresne reiterated United Nations support in strengthening the skills of the Somali prisons officers so that they have more tools to better do their jobs day to day.

“This course has been designed to be practical. It will teach things that you can apply, it is not just classroom material. Its effectiveness will therefore depend on your participation, It's meant to be interactive” she said to the officers undergoing training.

The course will cover a number of areas, including professional conduct for custodial corps, basic principles for treatment of prisoners, security dynamics and firefighting, among others.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the Commissioner for Somali Custodial Corps Brig. Gen. Hussein Hassan, the Director General of the Ministry of Justice and Religious Affairs, Mr. Mohamed Kayrow, Allan Cole, the Regional Coordinator of UNODC and Lt. Col. Dr. Ahmad Al Taharwah of the UN Police, UNSOM, among others.