Detainees of Tiassale prison (125 km from Abidjan) now have a fish farm constructed by the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCVI) and estimated at CFA 7.1 million (14,200 USD). The fish farm, comprising five fish ponds, was constructed under the auspices of UNOCI's Quick Impact Projects programme and was handed over to the prison authorities on Friday 5 September by UNOCI Rule of Law division.

The Tiassale Prison Superintendent, Captain Tah Bi recalled that the project was started by the German embassy in 2006 but was interrupted because of bad weather and the rudimentary manner in which the detainees were handling the project. In 2011 UNOCI agreed to assist the promoters of the project to re-launch the fish farm which at the time contained 51,300 fishes. The Superintendent said he presented the project to UNOCI which decided to train detainees in fish farming before financing the project.

The Director of Penitentiary Administration, Babacar Watta thanked UNOCI, remarking that the Mission could be counted among friends whose impact would never be forgotten.

UNOCI's penitentiary officer, Mrs. Danielle Boisvert said UNOCI contributes to the improvement of life in prison and prepares detainees for life after prison. "{If these projects are properly maintained, it could contribute to the improvement of the diet of detainees, improve the income of the prison and facilitate the social reintegration of detainees who would have learnt fish farming which they can practice after leaving prison,}" she said.

The representative of the Prefect of Tiassale said the fish farm was like manna from heaven, adding: "{It is true, prisoners should be punished but it is important to think about their reinsertion in society by teaching them a trade which they can practice after prison, so they do not come back,}" he declared.