Over 2 200 prisoners educating themselves

WITH more than 145000 inmates at prisons nationwide, education has become a priority behind bars for rehabilitation and reintegration.

More than 2248 prisoners in the Western Cape are part of educational programmes at prisons, the Department of Correctional Services revealed this week.

Whether it's for a Grade 12 certificate, tertiary education or to learn how to read or write, bake, sew or farm, enrichment behind bars is not out of the question for inmates.

This week, officials at Correctional Services confirmed that an array of courses were available for prisoners in the Western Cape based on the criteria they met.

Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, Candice van Reenen, said every programme and course offered to prisoners was seen as a form of rehabilitation and that each had to fit the criteria before being selected. “The offender will indicate an interest in the programmes offered and is assessed, and should he/she meet the criteria, they will be enrolled,” she said.

She said that teaching and education were the main programmes offered from Early Childhood Development and Literacy programmes.

This included senior certificates for those who did not complete their secondary education.

The highest courses offered were those of a degree or diploma which could be done via Unisa, including computer literacy.

Van Reenen said the Western Cape also had a full-time school at Brandvlei prison which was registered with the Department of Basic Education.

“The Department has a directorate called Formal Education. It is under this programme that the following is offered to offenders,” she said.

“Early Childhood Development (ECD): This programme is offered in partnership with the Department of Basic Education to babies (0-2 years) staying with their incarcerated mothers.

“Literacy programmes: Offered to offenders who cannot read and write, in line with the requirements of the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

“Adult Education and Training (GET ): Offered in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training, from AET Levels 1-4. Correctional Centres in DCS are registered as Adult Education and Training Centres.

“Further Education and Training Centres (FET) AND TVE, offered in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, streamlining curriculum for youth offenders (14-18 years) and equipping them with market-related skills in preparation for reintegration in communities. The Western Cape has one full-time school at Brandvlei, which is registered with the Department of Basic Education.

“Higher Education and Training (HET): Offenders register through Distance Learning with Institutions of Higher Learning such as Unisa, for certificates, diplomas and degrees.

“Computer Based Training (CBT): Computer Based Training Centres are attached to Youth and Adult Correctional Centres to equip offenders with ICT skills in order to secure employment opportunities on release,” she said.

Prisoners were also exposed to the library and textile industry and were part of ongoing workshops such as learning baking, farming, plant production and livestock handling skills.

| FILE PRISONERS are being educated in jail.