STORY: UN OFFICIALS VISIT MOGADISHU

CENTRAL PRISON
DURATION: 2:42
SOURCE: UNSOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
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CREDIT REQUIRED: UNSOM PUBLIC
INFORMATION
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/SOMALI/NATS
DATELINE: 2014/07/21, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA
SHOT LIST
1. Wide shot, refurbished Mogadishu Central Prison
2. Med shot, refurbished Mogadishu Central Prison
3. Med shot, Col. Mohamed Sheikh Omar, the commander
of Central Prison briefing the visiting UNSOM senior staff
4. Wide shot, refurbished Mogadishu central prison
5. Wide shot, Senior Mogadishu Central Prison officers and
UNSOM inspect the construction
6. Med shot, refurbished Mogadishu Central Prison
7. Wide shot, Mogadishu Central Prison
8. Wide shot, Senior Mogadishu Central Prison officers and
UNSOM inspect the construction
9. Med shot, section of Mogadishu Central Prison under
construction
10.
Wide shot, Mogadishu Central Prison water tank
11.
Med shot, Col. Mohamed Sheikh Omar, the
commander of Central Prison briefing the visiting UNSOM
senior staff
12.
Wide shot, Mogadishu Central Prison
13.
SOUNDBITE
(Somali),
Central
Prison
Mogadishu commander, Col. Mohamed Sheikh Omar:
Today we have been visited by a team from UN ODC who has
been doing some work in the prison. The have inspected the
projects they have been extending support to include
construction of kitchens, the perimeter wall for improved
security, construction of the drainage and sewerage system as
well as the water tank that is under construction, among
others. So, we have shown the and pointed out our needs as
well. As Somalis, we have also appealed to our business
community and the universities in Somalia for support and the
response so far has been positive .
14.
Wide shot, Senior Mogadishu central prison
officers and UNSOM inspect a classroom

15.
Wide shot, Col. Mohamed Sheikh Omar, the
commander of central Prison briefing the visiting UNSOM
senior staff
16.
SOUNDBITE (Somali), Chief of prisons in
Somlia Mohamed Jaama, Prisons forces are not limited to
prisons only. They compliment part of the armed forces in the
country and play their role in stabilizing the country. The most
important duties are rehabilitation of inmates so that the
prisoner, when he gets back to the community, his changed
his behaviour for the better which means his educated, his
caring and has undergone vocational training, those are the
most important qualities.
17.
Close up, UN staff taking notes
18.
Close up, UN staff
19.
SOUNDBITE (English), corrections officer
UNSOM Francis Benon, Today is a great for the crew to
come into prisons and see how the prison is, the conditions,
and the situations where prisoners and the staff find
themselves. I think this going to inform the government, the
business community, and the international community that
there is a lot more to be done in the prisons to save our
brothers and sisters who are inside here and that it is our duty
to bring this people out of the prisons better than when they
came in.
20.
Wide shot, Senior Mogadishu central prison
officers and UNSOM inspect the construction progress
21.
Med shot, Senior Mogadishu central prison officers
and UNSOM inspect the construction progress
STORY
Mogadishu Officials from the United Nations Assistance Mission
(UNSOM) visited Mogadishu Central Prison to assess their current
status and to discuss means of providing support to ensure provision
of effective correctional service.
Built in 1930, Mogadishu Central Prison is the countrys main
correctional facility, and faces major challenges including
congestion of inmates, limited infrastructure, lack of basic facilities
such as sleeping quarters, access to clean water, adequate food and
a conducive environment that would facilitate humane treatment
and rehabilitation of inmates.
Somalia has 10 functional prisons Mogadishu, Baidoa, Beletweyne,
Kismayo, Marka, Berweyn, Bulbarde, Hudur, Afgoye, and Afgoy
Farms.

UNSOM through its Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group

extends technical support to boost the capacity of the Custodial
Corps, support development of infrastructure and coordinate
international efforts to assist the custodial service.
Col. Mohamed Sheikh Omar, Commander of Mogadishu Central
Prison, was glad to receive UNSOM officials at the premises. They
have inspected the projects. They have been extending support,
including construction of kitchens, the perimeter wall for improved
security, construction of the drainage and sewerage system as well
as the water tank that is under construction, among others, he
said.
Col Omar is also appealing to fellow Somalis to lend a hand in
rebuilding the facilities. As Somalis, we have also appealed to our
business community and the universities in Somalia for support and
the response so far has been positive, said Col. Mohamed Sheikh
Omar.
General Mohamed Jaama Bashir, Commissioner General of the
Custodial Corps, says that the needs of the correctional facilities are
enormous and must be addressed urgently in order for the sector to
be effective in supporting the overall effort towards restoration of
peace in the country.
The most important duties are rehabilitation of inmates so that the
prisoner, when he gets back to the community, he has changed his
behaviour for the better, which means he is educated, he is caring
and has undergone vocational training; those are the most
important qualities, said Gen Bashir.
The prisons administration is in the process of improving the
infrastructure to give more space for inmates, prison security as well
as conduct rehabilitation programs including imparting of technical
skills with the assistance of the local business community and the
UN.
UNSOM officials also underscored the importance of effective
correctional facilities to avoid relapse into crime.
I think this is going to inform the government, the business
community and the international community that there is a lot more
to be done in the prisons to save our brothers and sisters who are

inside here and that it is our duty to bring these people out of the
prisons better than when they went in, said Francis Benon, UNSOM
Corrections Officer.

ENDS.