VICTORIA, Seychelles, The Seychelles Prison Services is on the verge of a significant milestone, as the first phase of its new remand facility is set to be finished by the end of the first quarter of 2024. Construction of the state-of-the-art facility at Persévérance 1 began in April 2023, aiming to provide a solution for remandees, who are subject to fewer restrictions than convicted prisoners. The project represents a major investment in the country’s correctional infrastructure.
The new facility has been designed to meet modern standards of detention, with a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. Officials from the Prison Services have said the facility will provide remandees with better living conditions, access to education and training programmes, and improved healthcare services. The design also includes dedicated spaces for visits, recreation, and counselling, reflecting a shift towards a more humane approach to pre-trial detention.
According to the Prison Services, the first phase of construction includes the main accommodation blocks, administrative offices, and a medical centre. Subsequent phases will add vocational training workshops, a chapel, and additional outdoor recreation areas. The entire project is expected to be completed within the next two years, with the second phase scheduled to begin in the second half of 2024.
The decision to build a dedicated remand facility comes after years of concern about the conditions in which remandees were being held. Human rights organisations and international partners have repeatedly highlighted the need for separate facilities for those awaiting trial, and the new development has been welcomed as a positive step forward in addressing these concerns. The facility will also help to ease overcrowding in the main prison at Montagne Posée.
Once operational, the new remand facility is expected to house up to 120 remandees in modern, secure, and humane conditions. Staff recruitment and training are already underway, with the Prison Services working closely with international partners to ensure that the facility meets best practice standards. The Seychelles Prison Services has described the project as a landmark development for the country’s justice system.
