Cape Town - With more than 145 000 inmates at prisons nationwide, education has become a priority behind bars for rehabilitation and reintegration.
More than 2 248 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 Service, 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.
When asked what courses they offered to prisoners, she explained 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 literacy courses meant that those who could not read or write would be granted the opportunity to learn how to.
The highest courses offered was that of a degree or diploma which could be done via Unisa, including computer literacy.
Van Reenen said the Western Cape also had one full-time school located at Brandvlei prison which was registered with the Department of Basic Education.
Also included in these programmes are juveniles who were junior offenders.
Van Reenen explained the courses were aimed at helping the prisoner reintegrate back into society after they had completed their term behind bars.
“The Department has a directorate called, Formal Education, it is under this programme that the following is offered to offenders,” she explained.
“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.
“Library and Information Services (LIS): Offenders are afforded the opportunity to gain access to library services.
“Skills Training. Training of offenders on long and short skills programmes.
“Offenders are also afforded the opportunity to gain workplace skills in the production workshops and agriculture projects, such as at bakeries, abattoirs, dairies, plant production, livestock and in textiles,” she said.
Van Reenen said that over 2 000 prisoners were part of educational programmes in the province and this included 1 138 just for education, 560 for long skills courses, 301 for short skills courses and those completing their matric.
Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services spokesperson, Emerantia Cupido said they encouraged education behind bars.
“We encourage education and all rehabilitation programmes so that inmates can have an opportunity for employment and skill development once they are released. JICS started a book drive project to donate books to correctional centres so that inmates can have access to reading material.
“This is an ongoing project which has also being welcomed and encouraged by Department of Correctional Services,” she said.