CS Tuya calls for enhanced mental wellness for inmates, officers

Calls to prioritise mental wellness for prison workers and inmates dominated the closing ceremony of the three-day day Correctional Services Week.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said there is an urgent need to address the gaps identified in access to mental health care, stress management for staff, and trauma recovery for inmates.

According to Tuya, there is need for tailored and special focus on offenders with special needs including cognitive challenges, and unique mental health conditions.

“Our prison and probation structures must be equipped to meet their needs with dignity and effectiveness,” she said.

CS Tuya noted that building stronger mental health systems requires integrated approaches and partnerships.

“We must foster collaboration between correctional services, the Ministry of Health, faith-based organisations, development partners, and the private sector to ensure that our mental health initiatives are comprehensive, far-reaching, and sustainable,” said the CS.

Tuya emphasised the importance of creating environments that foster mental wellness, asserting that rehabilitation efforts should not be hindered by untreated mental health challenges. “We leave with a clear roadmap for mental health and wellness. This blueprint for progress will guide us towards an era where every officer, every inmate, and every stakeholder experiences the benefits of a mentally healthy and resilient environment,” she added.

The Correctional Services  Principal Secretary Salome Beacco noted that correctional staff grapple with unique challenges as they work in high-stress environments. “Correctional officers and staff with strong mental health are better equipped to handle the pressures of their personal and professional roles,” she said.

The PS noted that taking care of mental health enhances decision-making, emotional intelligence, and performance resilience and ultimately cultivating a safer and more supportive environment for both staff and offenders.

According to Beacco, access to mental health support leads to effective rehabilitation of inmates hence enhancing successful re-entry into the society.

“Mental wellness among staff contributes to more effective rehabilitation programmes because emotionally stable officers are more empathetic, understanding, and capable of guiding offenders through their rehabilitation journey,” said the PS.