By Kate Ibeanusi
Senior Programme Officer/Head of Office, Lagos

The recently concluded African Correctional Services Association’s (ACSA) 2nd Biennial Conference provided a platform for the implementation of the Prison Reform Intervention in Africa (PRIA) regional capacity building activities. Selected representatives from 3 of the project’s pilot countries (Nigeria, Kenya and Burundi) were funded to participate in the conference which was held in Kampala Uganda from 2- 5 October, 2012 with the theme ‘Enhancing Community Responsive correctional Services Delivery in Africa’.

Immediately following the end of the conference, PRAWA organized a 2-day Special Regional Workshop on ‘Prison and Community Based Rehabilitation Programmes and Best Practices’. Over 50 delegates who attended the conference participated in the workshop with speakers drawn from international facilitators on penal reform issues across the globe.

Speakers at the special workshop included Dr Uju Agomoh, Executive Director of PRAWA, Col(Rtd) Zur Kredo, Mangaing Director, Oger-Beenet Ltd; Lloyd Chilundika, Senior Asst Commissioner, Zambia Prison Services; Mr. Nyoka J.W, Consultant in Corrections and retired deputy Commissioner of the Namibia Prison services; Mr Paul Geurts; Dr. Ifediora Orakwe, Controller, Research and Planning, Nigeria Prison Service; Kersty McCourt of OSJI; Macanius Zuseleu, UNMiss in DRC; Mr. Oliver Rapando, Kenya Prison Service; and Mr. Gerard Sindayiganza of the Burundi Prison Service.

Papers presented can be seen on the prawa website: www.prawa.org