OSCE supports Tajikistan’s Main Prison Department to establish sewing workshop and medical room in female prison
The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (Office) supported the Main Prison Department under Tajikistan’s Ministry of Justice to inaugurate a production unit and medical room in the female prison in Nurek district on 10 June 2022. The Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, Ambassador Vuk Zugic, and the Head of the Main Prison Department under Tajikistan’s Justice Ministry, General Mansurjon Umarov, attended the official opening ceremony.
The Office refurbished a sewing workshop in the female prison and equipped it with 24 modern sewing machines, necessary appliances and furniture. The workshop includes a cutting room, vocational training class, kitchen, shower and changing room. Over 50 female prisoners will be engaged in income-generating production in the sewing workshop. More than 100 female prisoners will undergo certified tailoring courses, which will help them learn new skills and increase employment opportunities after their release.
Ambassador Zugic highlighted importance of effective implementation of the comprehensive approach on rehabilitation and social reintegration of prisoners according to national legislation and international standards, with special focus on needs of vulnerable groups: women, juveniles, elderly, national minorities and people with disabilities.
The Office also renovated medical room and equipped it with one ultrasound device and one X-ray apparatus to provide operative medical treatment and support to female prisoners. As part of this support, the Office installed relevant household appliances and technical equipment in the visiting room.
The sewing workshop and medcial room were established as part of the overall rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, income generating activities and improving conditions for inmates.