RAMALLAH, April 6, 2011 (WAFA) - EUPOL COPPS Advisors coordinated on Wednesday a pilot one-day training session with the Palestinian Civilian Police (PCP) on “Practical Human Rights Training for Prison Guards” in Jenin Correction and Rehabilitation Center, said a statement by the EUPOL COPPS.

The Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), which carries out visits to PCP detention facilities on a regular basis, was also involved in this training initiative.

During his presentation, EUPOL COPPS Penitentiary Advisor Mikko Sarvela endeavored to give a background to “prison culture” and reality behind bars from a human rights perspective, including a focus on communication between prison guards and inmates.

ICHR’s director for the West Bank program, Musa Abu Dheim, gave an introduction to and definition of human rights and touched upon those international conventions and agreements concerning inmates in prisons. He also explored the local law and legislation regarding inmates in PCP correction and rehabilitation Centers and other facilities.

Lt. Col. Rodayna Odeh, head of the PCP Bureau for Grievances and Human Rights, shared an account of his own personal experiences working in prisons for over 12 years. He also touched upon the issue of complaints in prisons and introduced the work of the PCP Bureau for Grievances and Human Rights.

If this pilot training initiative proves successful, it could be replicated with the staff of other PCP Correction and Rehabilitation Center Department (CRCD) facilities throughout the West Bank in the near future.

Whereas the directors of PCP’s CRCD facilities appear to have some knowledge of basic human rights principles, there seems to be room for improvement regarding awareness on human rights among the operational staff of CRCD facilities that have the most contact and interaction with inmates.

M.A.