As part of UNODC's efforts to provide technical assistance and advisory services in the field of prison reform, last month saw the signing of a new agreement with the Government of Tajikistan to support the development of metalwork and woodworking programmes in Dushanbe and Khujand. The initiatives, which were identified with the country's prison service, are expected to enhance prisoners' earning capacity as well as their ability to reintegrate into society upon release.
The modernization of the two prison-based production facilities will permit male inmates to enrol for vocational courses and obtain certificates qualifying them to be employed in metalworking and furniture manufacturing.
In recent years, mainstream media has experienced a surge of coverage on large migration and refugee flows, ranging from reports on the risks migrants and refugees face throughout their journeys to reach safety, to the actual abuse and exploitation that some of them experience in transit and destination countries. The issue tends to provoke vivid discussions in political circles, social networks and other media platforms, but while awareness has arisen and opinions abound on the subject, there is little solid understanding of the different crimes experienced by migrants and refugees throughout their journeys.
UNODC, with the support of Government of Tajikistan, conducted recently a three-day Line Up Live Up training of trainers event. The training was conducted in the context of UNODC's Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration and its Regional Programme for Central Asia.
UNODC and the Government of Tajikistan demonstrate their commitment to using sports, not only to improve people's physical and psychological health, but also to promote mutual respect and tolerance and to teach important social and interpersonal skills that help youth to stay away from crime, violence and drugs.
With poverty and insufficient labour market access often a driving force behind female imprisonment, it is crucial that inmates are provided with viable employment training opportunities post-release. In Bolivia, the situation is much the same as in many other countries, with a vast number of female inmates convicted for minor offences - many of whom are single mothers and therefore face additional pressure to secure resources by whatever means necessary, frequently leading them to commit non-violent offences such as petty theft.
Against this backdrop, UNODC has signed a new technical assistance project around vocational training with the Bolivian Prison Administration - part of the Office's ongoing work under the Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration.
"Fair play, tolerance and team spirit - sports have a unique potential to help develop and reinforce positive life skills and values, and expand prospects," noted Yury Fedotov, UNODC Executive Director at a high-level event on the topic 'Crime Prevention and Sustainable Development through Sport' held in New York this past week. Pointing to UNODC's 'Line Up Live Up' initiative that is being piloted in a number of countries around the world, the Executive Director also highlighted how the organization is helping to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular SDG 16 which looks to peaceful, just and inclusive societies and those targets related to good health and well-being, education and reducing inequalities.
