Juvenile Inmates in CAR Receive Motorcycle Mechanics Training Through UN-Supported Program

Edited By: Fatomatou konè

Twenty juvenile inmates at Ngaragba Central Prison in Bangui have completed a vocational training program in motorcycle mechanics, as part of a broader initiative supported by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the country’s Directorate of Prison Services. The program, aligned with the National Strategy for Social Reintegration, is designed to provide incarcerated youth with practical skills that may support their reintegration into society following release.

During a certificate ceremony held on August 2, representatives from MINUSCA and the prison administration commended the trainees for their commitment. The training, which focused on engine operation, diagnostics, and basic repairs, aimed to offer a structured and constructive activity within the detention environment. Each participant received a set of tools to facilitate their entry into the labor market upon release. One graduate noted that he had no professional skills before incarceration and now feels equipped to pursue self-employment.

This initiative is one of several vocational programs currently implemented in Central African prisons, with MINUSCA also supporting training in tailoring, carpentry, and solar cooker fabrication. These efforts are part of a broader approach to improving prison conditions and addressing the underlying causes of recidivism. While the challenges of reintegration remain complex, such programs represent a step toward building more resilient pathways for rehabilitation and social inclusion.