A senior General Department of Prisons (GDP) official is calling on young people to join the service, with an extra 405 officers being sought to serve in correctional and rehabilitation centres in the capital and provinces.

GDP spokesman Nouth Savna told The Post on August 2 that the service had not recruited new officers since 2019, and with a number having left due to retirement or other reasons, there was a current shortage.

“We are encouraging young people to apply for the recruitment process because they are strong and will be able to pick up the training quickly. It would be great if more young people joined the prison service.

“While there have been cuts in the national budget, the government has not forgotten the difficulties of the GDP, and it is good news that we are to receive new 405 officers,” he said.

Minister of Interior Sar Kheng on August 1 signed a notice allowing the recruitment of 405 officers – 41 female – into the prison employment framework across Cambodia for 2022.

According to the notice, Correctional Centre I is recruiting 30 employees, while Correctional Centre III has 60 vacancies. Prisons in Phnom Penh need 36 new officers, Kandal province 25, Takeo 10, and Kampong Speu 30.

Prisons in Preah Sihanouk province is looking for 52 recruits, Tbong Khmum 23, Kampong Chhnang 10, Stung Treng 10, and Kampot nine. The Kingdom’s rehabilitation centres need 110 new staff members.

Work at correctional and rehabilitation centres falls into five categories – administrative, operational, security, vocational training and education.

Applications opened on August 1 and run until September 16, with the exam scheduled for October 9.

Am Sam Ath, deputy director for monitoring at rights group LICADHO, said his organisation had previously spoken of the disproportionate number of prison officers to detainees causing difficulties.

“Some officers are put on standby at prisons to maintain order and have no time for their families, leading to personal problems. We have talked of easing overcrowding in prisons so that populations are proportionate between officers and detainees.

“When the numbers of officers and detainees is balanced, officers would have time for their families, while the detainees would better follow prison rules,” he said.

He added that while the hiring of additional prison officers was a positive development, recruitment should be conducted transparently and fairly, with proper training provided.

According to GDP spokesman Savna, there are currently almost 3,000 prison officers nationwide, with more than 10 per cent female.