LocationsThis initiative aims at improving the management and rehabilitation of offenders, and accelerating the socio-economic and digitalization process in the correctional services.
The UNDP provides technical assistance to conceptualize the ‘E-Correctional Services’ Project in Mauritius
October 17, 2022
This initiative aims at improving the management and rehabilitation of offenders, and accelerating the socio-economic and digitalization process in the correctional services.
UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles/Sharon Sunassee
On 12th of October 2022, the progress meeting for the “Re-Engineering of the Correctional Services of the Republic of Mauritius” project was organized at the Probation and Aftercare Services Headquarters, in Beau Bassin. The project involves the development of an e-correction management system to create a flow of information in the criminal justice system, including prisons and probation centers. This initiative aims at improving the management and rehabilitation of offenders, and accelerating the socio-economic and digitalization process in the correctional services.
With reference to the findings of a report commissioned by the Prime Minister’s Office to re-structure the correctional services, it was proposed to have an integrated correction management platform that will link different components of the system. These include the Prisons Department, the Probation and Aftercare services, and eventually the Police Department and the Judiciary. This e-correction management system aims at reinforcing and improving the functionality of the existing e-Prison system and creating a flow of information in the criminal justice system, including prisons and probation centers.
The system, which is expected to go live in June 2023, will be developed by the National Informatic Centre Services Inc. (NICSI) in India. It will comprise of several components, including an Offender Management Information System and a Juvenile Management Information System. It will also contribute to the centralization of information and will enable officers to have an in-depth profile of offenders when they enter the system, such as previous criminal records and health information.
As part of current efforts to support the digitalization process in public institutions, the UNDP Mauritius Country Office provided financial assistance amounting to MUR two million (2 m) for the implementation of the project. It is expected that the e-correction management System will contribute to the enhancement of law and order in the country.
A site visit of the Central Prison in Beau Bassin was also facilitated by, Mr. Rungadoo, the Commissioner of Prisons, and other officers. The Head of the UNDP Socio Economic Development Unit (SEDU) and a Representative from the Prime Minister's Office, Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity Division, had the opportunity to conduct a site visit of an aquaponics system, where nutrient-rich aquaculture water from an artificial pond will be fed to hydroponically grown plants which falls under the purview of this project. Furthermore, they visited other agricultural initiatives within the prison, where an irrigation system was set up using a solar powered pump. Several hundred kilos of vegetables such as pumpkins, tomatoes and herbs have already been cultivated and harvested by detainees and Prison Staff.