March 26, 2025 – Tucked in the Cape Town suburb of Tokai, Pollsmoor Prison stands as one of South Africa’s most prominent and tightly secured penal institutions. It houses individuals serving life or long-term sentences, conjuring up negative images of deprivation and hopelessness. Yet, amidst this backdrop, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway, as WPDI and the penal administration work together to disseminate a culture of nonviolent conflict resolution within its walls.
In 2024, WPDI initiated a partnership with Pollsmoor, focusing on empowering correctional officers through our tailored peacebuilding training program. The goal was simple but essential: to equip those working within the prison system with practical tools to mediate conflict, foster dialogue, and promote a culture of peace. The initial training phase proved so effective that prison leadership quickly recognized its value and committed to expanding the initiative in 2025.
This year, WPDI will train 200 additional correctional officers across four sessions. The first group completed their training in March, with upcoming sessions scheduled for May, September, and November. The momentum generated by this initiative is a clear signal that meaningful change is underway.
“Being a prison officer is a complex and demanding role that requires us to wear multiple hats,” shared Correctional Officer Madliwa Simphiwe during the March session. “At home, we are parents, and at work, we must adopt a firm and authoritative approach to effectively manage offenders. This constant role-switching can be overwhelming, impacting our ability to cope with challenges. Thank you, WPDI, for your continuous support and commitment to our mental well-being. I will continue to practice and apply the skills and knowledge shared here to make Pollsmoor a more safe, peaceful, and habitable working environment.”
Our training program focuses on essential topics such as understanding peace and conflict, identifying conflict types and dynamics, and strengthening communication and mediation skills. Designed for the unique challenges of a high-security facility, the curriculum emphasizes daily, practical strategies officers can use to de-escalate tensions and promote stability within the prison.
For many officers, the program also served as a moment of reflection—an opportunity to reconnect with their own well-being and sense of purpose.
“We are so focused on helping offenders turn their lives around that we often forget to take care of ourselves,” said another officer, Amand. “Dealing with tough situations every day can really take a toll on us. Thank you, WPDI, for giving us the skills, confidence, and self-awareness training. This has been truly empowering, and I feel confident to better mediate conflicts moving forward.”
For others, the training sparked a renewed commitment to the broader mission of rehabilitation. “It has equipped me with valuable skills and provided a clear vision for rehabilitation which will enhance our daily work with offenders,” noted Correctional Officer Donovan Michales.
Looking forward, we are planning to deepen our impact at Pollsmoor by launching a new phase of the program in 2026—this time working directly with inmates. The expansion reflects the belief that peace must be built at every level of the prison community, from the staff corridors to the cells themselves.
In a place often associated with tension and violence, the seeds of peace are being carefully planted—one training session, one officer, one conversation at a time. WPDI is honored to continue walking this journey alongside the dedicated staff of Pollsmoor, working together to create a safer correctional environment, more conducive to peace.
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