August 6, 2026 – Following two years of successful implementation at Pollsmoor Correctional Services, WPDI South Africa has expanded its Peacebuilding and Conflict Mediation program to Worcester Correctional Facility in South Africa’s Western Cape. The expansion comes in response to strong interest from correctional leadership, who recognized the value of equipping staff with practical skills to manage conflict, strengthen workplace well-being, and foster more constructive relationships within correctional environments.
Delivered in partnership with RCS and BNP Paribas, the program reflects a growing recognition that peacebuilding skills are not only relevant in communities, but also within institutions where tensions, stress, and interpersonal conflicts can have significant impacts on both staff and inmates.The first session brought together 40 senior managers, including Heads of Centres and supervisors from correctional facilities across the region. Through practical training on inner peace, active listening, and conflict analysis, participants explored how stronger leadership can create safer, more constructive environments for both staff and inmates.
Rather than focusing only on resolving immediate disputes, the training encourages participants to identify the root causes of conflict and build long-term solutions. This provided them the opportunity to reflect on how calm, empathy, and effective communication can influence the culture of an entire correctional center.
« For years, I thought managing conflict meant restoring silence. This training has taught us to unlearn the habit of dealing with surface issues. Moving forward, I will focus on the underlying triggers that lead to conflict between my staff and offenders. I am confident that if we address the root causes rather than just the symptoms, the atmosphere in our centers will shift from cycles of conflict to a more peaceful working environment. »
– Jody Matthee, Case Management Supervisor.
The workshop also reinforced the power of active listening as a practical conflict prevention tool. « I have always known about active listening, but I didn’t truly appreciate its power until now. A small shift in how we listen can stop the cycle of conflict. »
– Norman Thembile Nzinyana, Divisional Head of Security.
Following the strong response to the opening session, WPDI will continue to deliver the program throughout the year, reaching 200 officials and supervisors in Worcester while continuing its work with 100 officers at Pollsmoor Correctional Services.
The expansion reflects a growing understanding that correctional facilities are not only places of security and rehabilitation, but also environments where conflict prevention and constructive communication are essential. Correctional officers and managers navigate complex human interactions every day, often under significant pressure. Equipping them with peacebuilding and conflict mediation skills can help reduce tensions, improve workplace relationships, and create conditions that support both staff well-being and offender rehabilitation.
As interest in the program continues to grow, WPDI’s work in South Africa demonstrates that investing in the people who lead correctional institutions is a practical and effective way to build safer, healthier, and more peaceful correctional environments. Through these trainings, correctional leaders are gaining tools that can transform conflict from a source of division into an opportunity for dialogue, understanding, and positive change.
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