More than 100 prisoners in Bosaso Central Prison are being offered vocational training to prepare them for life after their release.
The prison chief Shire Mohamed Jama told Radio Ergo’s local reporter that three female prisoners were among the inmates undergoing training over the next four months.
The ICRC-funded programme is aimed at reforming prisoners and equipping them with skills for self-reliance before they are released back into society.
The courses on offer including farming skills, tailoring, construction and carpentry.
Abdikadir Mohamud, 25, who is serving a five year jail sentence for manning an illegal a roadblock to extort money, told Radio Ergo he was happy learning carpentry.
“I knew nothing five years ago apart from how to rob at gunpoint and kill people, but today my life is reformed and I have new skills to work with,” Abdikadir said.
Gareen Mohamed, a mother of five, was sentenced to a 27-month jail term for stealing gold. She was delighted and excited about learning tailoring for her remaining three months in jail.
“I have served two years, and will serve the remaining three months of my sentence. I am now learning how to sew, and I am very happy, because I never assumed one could learn while in prison!”
This is the second training held for prisoners in Bosaso Central Prison.
