Farah's new prison expansion a testimony to safe, humane Afghan correction facilities

Photo By Maj. Mark Graff | Farah Provincial Gov. Roohul Amin speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for Farah's prison expansion, Oct. 26, Farah City, Farah province, Afghanistan. The prison expansion is a sign of the increased capacity of Farah's government to provide effective justice systems to its citizens.  

FARAH, AFGHANISTAN

10.26.2011

Story by 1st Lt. Mark Graff 

Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah

FARAH, Afghanistan – The Director of Jails in Afghanistan, Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Amir Mohammed Jamshid, the U.S. Embassy Kabul’s Coordinating Director for Rule of Law and Law Enforcement, Ambassador Hans Klemm, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Brian Nichols and RC-West Commander Brig. Gen. Luciano Portolano joined Farah Provincial Gov. Roohul Amin, Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah and other units at a ceremony marking the opening of Farah City’s prison expansion Oct. 26.

The prison expansion, built by local contractors, was built to relieve overcrowding in Farah City’s existing prison. The need for additional prison space is a sign of increased population in Farah City, said the governor.

“The increase in Farah City population required [expansions of] roads, schools, hospitals and now prisons,” said Amin. “The prison is not for punishment, but for training … and education to show [the prisoners] the right way. When they leave, they should have learned something; what is good and what is bad.”

The Ministry of Justice’s ability to provide safe and humane corrections facilities is crucial to the viability of Afghanistan’s justice system, said Klemm.

“I see this as testimony to the increasing capacity under Gen. Jamshid’s leadership, and with the support of the governor, to provide safe, clean, secure and humane facilities for prisoners throughout Afghanistan,” said Klemm. “The contribution from the international community to the new facility in Farah was actually very, very minimal.”

Amin highlighted how increasing the capacity of the justice system paves the way for improvements in the quality of life and governance in Afghanistan.

“ANSF and the prison [staff] are professional forces. Justice is important. If we have justice, there is no corruption, and we will do good work, and the people will be happy with government,” said Amin.

PRT Farah engineers worked with the local contractors throughout the duration of the project, conducting quality assurance checks and ensuring that the prison expansion was built to proper structural, security and sanitary specifications.

The prison expansion was constructed in seven months and increases the prison’s holding capacity by 368 prisoners.

• Date Taken: 10.26.2011
• Date Posted: 10.29.2011 00:56
• Story ID: 79234
• Location: FARAH, AF