"It is easy to get angry and if we don't learn to control it, there are negative consequences. When I go back home, I will teach what I have learned to my family and friends. I will share my experience because I don't want them to follow my steps" says Luiz, 21 years old, who is among 25 male prisoners in Becora, who received anger management training in September.
To date, about 115 prisoners have received Anger Management Training supported by UNFPA and the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality (SEPI) in Becora and Gleno prisons in Timor-Leste, with the collaboration of Ministry of Justice.
The training was specifically designed for the convicts who have committed crimes of domestic and gender-based violence. It provides the participants with the skills and techniques for successful anger management and helps reduce the likelihood of their using violent behavior in the future.
Feedback from previous participants on this programme has been overwhelmingly positive. Deonisio, 33 years old and one of the prisoners in Becora, says that "after the sessions, I went back to my room and reflected. If I had received this training before, I would know how to control my emotions and anger when it was provoked and I wouldn't be here now."
In light of the success of previous Anger Management programmes and recommendations from past participants, the future trainings will target young people, correction officers and more prisoners with charges of gender-based or domestic violence. A similar training is scheduled for female prisoners of Gleno Prison in Ermera district in October this year.
UNFPA has collaborated with the Government of Timor-Leste with its ongoing support to SEPI to implement a broader national action plan since 2008, to reduce and prevent gender-based violence in Timor-Leste.
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