United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Central America and the Caribbean

Training on the Attention of Foreign Prisoners

In a coordinated effort between the British Embassy, the SECOPA Project (implemented by UNODC with the financial support of the European Union), and the Prison Training Academy, was held a training workshop on the special needs of persons deprived of liberty, in particular, the right of consular assistance to foreigners.

Likewise were discussed the special challenges that the prison administration should take in relation to the treatment of the foreign population, which constitute a group with a situation of special vulnerability.

The workshop was aimed at personnel of the Directorate General of Prisons (DGSP), security agencies (National Police, SENAFRONT, SENAN, Migration) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The training was provided by the British expert Jim Haines and staff from UNODC, DGSP, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ICRC.

The workshop was part of a series of activities that the Ministry of Government led during the week, which included the presence of the Baroness Vivian Stern, a member of the British Parliament, who visited two prisons, and participated in the Council of Prison Policy in order to share some recommendations to enhance the reform process initiated by Panama.

For UNODC, the training of prison staff and strengthening of their capabilities are essential conditions to humanize and modernize the prison system, in order to achieve the effective reintegration of people who have broken the law. Thus, five years ago UNODC supports the training activities through the strengthening of the Prison Training Academy aiming to reach a more efficient management, in line with international standards of criminal justice and human rights.