By Tereza Jeremiah Chuei
The National Prison Service South Sudan (NPSSS) was yesterday handed over two trucks by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to help them ferry inmates from prison to court.
Speaking during the handover, the UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Doe told the NPSSS to use the trucks for intended purpose.
“We handed over the two trucks and these trucks will be used to convey inmates from the prison to court, we are hoping and praying that these trucks are used for the intended purpose,” he said.
He said the UNDP core principle is not to put people to prison, adding that incase that happen then National prison service is there to rehabilitate the individuals.
“Our core principle is not to put people in prison but when people find themselves in the other side of the law, National prison service is an opportunity for rehabilitation, or restoring back dignity and gaining new skills to be integrated back to society and to contribute to national development and that is the spirit philosophy around which UNDP has been working with the NPSSS,” he said.
Mr. Doe also revealed that there were young people who have got training provided by UNDP, citing that they have currently gone back to their respective communities and have integrated well and are contributing to national development.
The UNDP Resident Representative said he believes people who are given required skills that contribute to their livelihood don’t become the victims of breaking the law or reaching ‘the other side of the law.’
“I have strong belief that if people have the right skills that contribute to their livelihood, they don’t want to be on the other side of the law, prison should not diminish anybody’s dignity,” he noted.
On his part, the Spokesperson of NPSSS, Maj. Gen. Redento Tongun Victor appreciated UNDP for the support rendered to the prison service.
“The handover of these two trucks is great and I hope that the two cage trucks will facilitate the transportation of inmates to court and productive areas,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Tongun added that the two trucks are going to be distributed to Juba Central Prison and Wau Central Prison.’