Rights of female inmates in focus of OSCE Centre training course

ASHGABAT, 11 June 2010 - Prison officials and Interior Ministry representatives took part in a three-day OSCE course on international legal standards for the treatment of prisoners, with a focus on the rights of female inmates, which concluded in Ashgabat today.

The course was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat in close co-operation with the Interior Ministry of Turkmenistan.

The participants enhanced their knowledge about international standards for the treatment of prisoners, particularly women. Topics covered by the course included best practices related to healthcare needs, pregnancy, nursing and female inmates accompanied by their children.

"This course helped participants to advance the skills they need to ensure that the rights of female prisoners, who have concrete and specific needs, are respected and promoted," said Begoña Piñeiro Costas, the Human Dimension Officer at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

Three senior international experts from Austria, Bulgaria and Latvia with extensive experience in addressing different aspects of prisoner's rights taught the course, which was held at the Police Academy.

Police Academy teachers also took part so that they can incorporate additional information on the topic in courses for students who will work as prison officials in the future.

In addition, the Centre provided information materials on prisoners' rights and health to participants and the Police Academy's library.