RONALD Lamola has recently released the matric results for inmates at the Durban Correctional Centre, popularly known as Durban Westville Correctional Facility.
The minister of Justice and Correctional Services also awarded inmates who delivered yet another excellent performance in their matric exams.
Lamola once again recognised teachers across correctional centres who are hard at work transferring skills to inmates.
According to Sechaba Mphahlele, the spokesman for the Ministry of the Department of Correctional Services, the results showed that inmates had exceeded the national pass mark.
“The academic achievements of inmates underscore the transformative power of education within the correctional system,” he said.
Mphahlele said this demonstrated the potential for rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates back into society thus breaking the cycle of crime.
ALSO READ: AYEYE if you're funded by Nfsas
“With 137 out of 147 full-time candidates passing the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, the matriculation pass percentage for prisoners housed in correctional facilities has reached 93,2%. Candidates working part-time passed with an 84% passing percentage,” said Mphahlele.
Minister Lamola congratulated all applicants on passing 100 bachelor's degrees, 41 diplomas, and 16 higher certificates.
He advised them not to partake in any activities that would put them in danger of breaking the law again and to act as excellent representatives of correctional services.
Lamola also reminded the students that families and bursaries cover the expense of tuition for prisoners at higher education institutions, not the inmates themselves.
“A number of the initiatives offered to prisoners are intended to give them the tools they need to change their lives and keep them from going back to their prior lives of crime. The Self-Sufficiency Strategic Framework is one such project that gives prisoners the skills they need to grow their own food and repair public buildings like clinics, schools, and orphanages,” said the minister.
