September 8, 2025 – In May 2025, WPDI expanded its peacebuilding work within Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison, one of South Africa’s most notorious correctional facilities, by training 50 additional officers in conflict mediation and communication. Located in the Cape Town suburb of Tokai, Pollsmoor houses some of the country’s most high-risk inmates. Within such a volatile environment, the ability to resolve conflict constructively is not just helpful, it’s essential.
WPDI first launched programming at Pollsmoor in 2024, focusing on training correctional staff. After the initial sessions showed significant positive results, prison leadership invited WPDI to expand the program to reach 200 officers in total. The first cohort of 50 officers completed their training in March 2025, followed by a second group in May. Two additional groups of 50 are scheduled for September and November, ensuring that by the end of the year, 200 officers will be equipped with vital peacebuilding and mediation skills.
Throughout the program, officers explored foundational concepts of peace and conflict, such as the importance of empathy, the role of power dynamics in conflict, and the principles of non-violent communication. They deepened their understanding of conflict dynamics and practiced core mediation skills. The training also focused on developing emotional intelligence and communication strategies tailored to high-pressure situations.
« This training didn’t just teach us new techniques – it fundamentally changed how we see our role. We are no longer just prison officers, we are peacebuilders. »
— Correctional Officer Rebecca Mariana
The initiative is more than a skills workshop; it’s a transformative journey. Officers shared how the training reshaped their approach not only to managing inmate behavior, but also to navigating conflict among colleagues.
« Before this training, we often felt like we were just putting out fires. We learned that peace isn’t the absence of conflict—it’s the ability to handle it constructively. »
— Correctional Officer Sammy Joe Smith
Many spoke of feeling deeply empowered to foster a more stable, respectful atmosphere inside the prison walls, despite the daily stress of their roles. The ripple effects, they said, were already visible in day-to-day interactions.
« Since we started the training, we’re seeing a noticeable difference in how we handle disputes as colleagues. More importantly, we feel better equipped to manage conflicts with inmates in a way that promotes mutual respect and reduces the risk of violence. »
— Correctional Officer Simpiwe Ngaloj
At its core, this initiative reflects WPDI’s belief that peace is possible anywhere when people are equipped with the right tools, mindset, and support. By giving correctional officers the skills to serve as mediators and community leaders, WPDI is helping transform the culture of incarceration into one rooted in dignity, safety, and long-term rehabilitation.
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