SUNYANI CENTRAL AND FEMALE PRISONS COMPLETE THREE-DAY SIGN LANGUAGE TRAINING FOR OFFICERS.

The Sunyani Central and Female Prisons have successfully completed a three-day Sign Language Training programme aimed at equipping officers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to communicate effectively with persons who have hearing and speech-related communication challenges within the correctional environment.

The training programme was organised by the Sunyani Central Church of Christ as part of its support towards promoting inclusiveness and effective communication within the correctional system.

The programme was officially opened by the Acting Officer-in-Charge of Sunyani Central Prison, ADP Samuel Addae, who welcomed the facilitators and participating officers. He emphasised the importance of effective communication in the administration of correctional facilities and encouraged officers to continually develop their skills to enable them interact with inmates and members of the public in a professional, respectful and humane manner.

ADP Addae noted that acquiring basic sign language skills would enhance inclusiveness within the correctional environment and enable officers to respond appropriately to the communication needs of persons with hearing and speech-related challenges.

The training combined classroom instruction with practical sessions. Participants were taken through the fundamentals, history and development of sign language, Deaf culture, appropriate etiquette and basic techniques for communicating through signs. The practical sessions also provided officers with an opportunity to apply the skills they had acquired during the training.

The training is expected to contribute to a more inclusive and supportive correctional environment where every individual is treated with dignity, can communicate effectively and receives the appropriate attention and support.