PRISONERS are sharpening their minds instead of sharpening knives for gang activities inside prisons.
This as prisons have been turned into exam centres.
Inmates throughout Mzansi have been spending most of their time studying as they prepare for their senior certificate exams.
According to the Department of Correctional Services spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo, a total of 198 inmates will be sitting for the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) final examinations within correctional facilities.
He said: “Some inmates have already begun with computer applications technology on 24 October and shall go full steam on 30 October, tackling English paper 1. Initially, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) had 204 registered inmates for the NSC examinations but six benefited from the special remission of sentences, thus taking them out of Correctional Centre schools.
“The NSC examinations are an important yardstick for Correctional Services as we seek to inspire positive change within the correctional system, empower inmates with the tools for personal growth and rehabilitation, and to ultimately reduce the crime rate in the country,” said Nxumalo.
The department's national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale echoed that education was a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of inmates being repeat offenders and helping individuals build a better future.
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He said: “The class of 2022 demonstrated that nothing is impossible as it performed exceedingly well. That class of 2022 surpassed the national pass mark, obtaining 87,5% with 11 schools attaining an impressive 100% pass rate. As if that was not enough, four inmates went on to achieve six distinctions, wherein, the best-performing offender scored an average of 87,9%. With a better level of preparedness in the 2023 academic year, DCS is confident of an improved performance for the current year.”
“The same push is to be experienced with another cohort of inmates involved in examinations, being Adult Education and Training (AET), and tertiary education and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), in various facilities across the country.
"A total of 1 180 inmates will be sitting for AET Level 4 examinations, while 1 471 will be writing TVET papers. It's officially an exam season in correctional facilities and those out of the formal education system are likely to feel desolate,” said Thobakgale.
An inmate at St Albans Prison in Gqebera said: “I've been a part of gang activities, but they haven't taken me anywhere. I'm swimming deeper into crime. I decided to return to school to turn my life around. On the outside world, I want a normal life. I'm sick and tired of my criminal life. The opportunity to write my matric is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
