More than 40 public-security staff and officers working with femaleprisoners in northern Vietnam on December 3 began a three-day trainingprogramme on the treatment of women in prison and on offeringnon-custodial measures (the so-called Bangkok Rules) for some.

Theworkshop, which is organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs andCrime (UNDOC) and Ministry of Public Security, is the first step inactivities to strengthen the capacity of criminal justice institutes.

"Inthe course of this training workshop, we will examine the Bangkok Rulesto increase understanding of international standards," UNDOC officialPiera Barzano said.

This event is a real opportunity toactively discuss how to integrate women's human rights into prisonmanagement activities, she added.

Barzano said she highlyappreciates the cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security andUNODC in HIV prevention, treatment and care in prisons, overcominggender-based violence, fighting corruption, countering cyber crime andfighting human trafficking.

Barzano said UNODC will supportthe ministry in implementing existing projects and developing new onesrelating to the fight against terrorism, corruption, money launderingand environmental and hi-tech crimes.

Nguyen Van Ninh,Deputy Director General of the Department for Making Criminal Judgments,said Vietnam has progressed in the implementation of prison reformand the ministry has worked with the Vietnam Women's Union to enhancethe capacity of prison staff in handling female prisoners.

Ninhadded that women have different needs when they are imprisoned. Thisincludes pre and post-natal care and hygiene needs and an understandingthat they are primary caregivers.

The Bangkok Rules,supplementing the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners,1955, was approved by the UN General Assembly in 2010.

It addresses the range of needs specific to female prisoners, detainees and those subject to non-custodial security measures.