Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, I wish to inform the House that, following the retirement of the Commissioner of Prisons on 08

31 December 2024, Mr Raj Rughoobeer, the most senior Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, has been assigned the duties of Commissioner of Prisons as from 09 December 2024. With regard to part (a)(ii) of the question, I am informed by the Acting Commissioner of Prisons that, as at 13 March 2025, the official bed capacity of the prison system in Mauritius is 3,744. With regard to part (a)(iii) of the question, I am further informed that, as at 13 March 2025, the total prison population is 2,722, out of which 1,424 detainees have been convicted, and 1,298 detainees are on remand. With regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Acting Commissioner of Prisons that there is no overpopulation in general, as the prison is currently occupied at 72.7% of its optimum capacity, out of which 52.31% of the prison population have been convicted and 47.69% are on remand. I said generally because, however, at the Petit Verger Prison, which has a bed capacity of 308, it is presently accommodating 322 detainees. The surplus of 14 detainees are being transferred to Grand River North West Prison and Richelieu Open Prison. The Women Prison, which has a capacity of 160, is presently accommodating 169 detainees, and most of them are on remand. The surplus of nine detainees again, are being directed to the Open Prison for Women. I am further informed by the Acting Commissioner of Prisons that there has been no incident directly related to overpopulation in the prisons. As regards staffing, a Manpower Assessment Exercise has been carried out in July 2022 by the Manager Human Resources of the then Prime Minister’s Office. It has recommended, amongst others, the creation of some 150 additional posts in the grade of Prisons Officer/Senior Prisons Officer and 15 additional posts in the grade of Woman Prisons Officer/Senior Woman Prisons Officer. It has been recommended that it is done in a phased-wise manner over a period of three financial years. These additional staffs will be reinforcing the team responsible for the rehabilitation programme. A Committee was set up in September 2024 to look into the implementation of the recommendations of the Manpower Assessment Exercise. We are currently reviewing the staff situation in the Prison with a view to ensuring an optimal utilisation of manpower resources.

32 Madam Speaker, the Prison Service is laying focus on rehabilitation of prisoners through various programmes, so that they can successfully reintegrate into their communities without re-offending, and become responsible and law-abiding citizens. Moreover, the Prison Service provides vocational training in different fields to empower the detainees to be employable following their release from prison. Some of the trainings being offered are carried out in collaboration with the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development. I am informed that a total of 402 detainees have followed such trainings during the year 2024. Furthermore, Non-Governmental Organisations also provide counselling, psycho-social support and life-skills programmes amongst the detainees.

Yes, the hon. Second Member for Savanne and Black River! DBM – SURINAM INDUSTRIAL BUILDING – MANAGEMENT & OPERATION