Turkish aid agency trains prisoners in Mongolia

By Tugrul Cam

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AA) - Prisoners at a Mongolian jail in capital Ulaanbaatar will work as ironsmiths following training by Turkey's state-run aid agency.

The Turkish Coordination and Cooperation Agency (TIKA) arranged an ironwork workshop in 2016.

Following a 45-day training more than 50 prisoners received certificates and started work within the prison premises.

The prisoners get paid for their work which some use to support their families.

Nergui Chimeddorj, head of the prison, told Anadolu Agency this vocational training provides prisoners the chance to earn a living after they are released, serving as a deterrent to crime.

"Some 60-70 percent of the prisoners, who were released from this prison in 2017, were employed. In 2018, this number increased to 80 percent," Chimeddorj said.

Established in 1992, Turkey's government-run aid agency is responsible for implementing the country's developmental cooperation policies overseas.