The Minister of Interior, Dr Vincent Biruta, has called on new correctional officer, who completed their training on Monday, February 24 to uphold values of integrity and professionalism that characterises the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS). Biruta said this as he presided over the passing-out ceremony of 546 officers at the RCS Training School in Rwamagana District. ALSO READ: First halfway homes to be completed this year The new RCS officers, who got the rank of Warder after completing an intensive 11-month training programme, included 200 women. “You will be deployed across various correctional facilities, and we expect you to carry out your duties with discipline and integrity while upholding the core values of the Rwanda Correctional Service. Patriotism, guided by a strong commitment to human rights and respect for all individuals, is fundamental to RCS’s mission,” Biruta told the officers. Biruta emphasized the critical role of patriotism, integrity, and professionalism in fostering human rights and effective rehabilitation in correctional facilities. He urged the graduates to uphold the values instilled in them throughout their training and to apply their skills with dedication. “It is imperative that you adhere to the service’s rules and regulations at all times, as RCS’s reputation is built upon the professionalism and dedication of our personnel,” the minister stated. Reiterating the commitment to strengthening the correctional service and ensuring the welfare of its personnel, Biruta said government “will take all necessary measures to ensure that RCS fulfills its mandate and continue to prioritize the well-being of RCS personnel.” ALSO READ: RCS graduates first cohort of inmate trainees SSP Jean Pierre Olivier Bazambanza, Commandant of RCS Training School Rwamagana Training School, the training covered critical aspects of correctional service such as human rights, ethical conduct, conflict management, rehabilitation, physical fitness, self-defense, and responsible ammunition handling. “The course module is designed to equip officers with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties professionally and ethically, upholding human rights and treating all individuals with respect and dignity,” Bazambanza stated. He stressed the importance of conflict management and inmate rehabilitation in fostering a secure and efficient correctional environment. The graduating officers expressed their readiness to contribute to a correctional system that prioritizes security, rehabilitation, and human dignity. “The ethical values instilled in us during the training, will serve as a guiding force in preventing misconduct and reinforcing the integrity of correctional officers,” Viateur Nikwigize said. This was also echoed by Dorolatha Ishimwe, another graduating officer. “We are prepared to uphold ethical standards and ensure that correctional facilities operate with professionalism and respect for human rights,” said Ishimwe.
