Help to rehabilitate ex-offenders
The Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mondli Gungubele, has appealed to communities to play an active role in the rehabilitation of inmates.
Speaking during a visit to the Boksburg Prison on Thursday last week, Clr Gungubele said government alone, through the Department of Correctional Services, cannot win this battle.
“Actually, all the hard work the correctional services ministry is doing would be a waste of time if communities did not get involved. It is important to remember that offenders will eventually return to the communities they come from. This then means they must be accepted back,” said Clr Gungubele.
He added that one of the major problems ex-offenders experience is rejection attached to the stigma of being arrested and found guilty of a crime.
“Sadly, the reality is that if ex-offenders are rejected by their communities and have no role to play in the social and economic activity of that community, they revert back to crime and end up behind bars again,” said Clr Gungubele.
The mayor believes communities and community organisations can play a meaningful role in the rehabilitation of former inmates through spiritual care, skills development and supporting them to start small businesses. This means the former inmates would have hope for the future.
“Early childhood development (ECD) is critical in our efforts to dissuade youngsters from living a life of crime. This process teaches young people self-worth, helps unearth talent and create self-awareness in terms of a child’s strengths,” said.
The mayor added that the country should place more emphasis on ECD.
“During our school days we used to have class called hand-work. It was during this period we would try out different skills, like arts and crafts, woodwork and sawing. This subject helped us on our journey to self-discovery at an early age and perhaps the country needs to think about revisiting this in our school curriculum,” said Clr Gungubele.
While interacting with juvenile prisoners, Gungubele encouraged them not to lose hope because they still have a bright future ahead of them.
“Do not look at this as the end of the world, but rather as a life lesson that you will take with when you get a second chance out there.” he said.
The mayor indicated that the city will, in the near future, engage with prison authorities to discuss issues of common interest, especially around economic development for inmates who are plying different trades in the facility.
“This is important and we must put a team in place consisting of the metro and the Boksburg Prison authorities to engage and see how best this can be done. This team will have to put clear terms of reference in place and help in simplifying the partnership,” said Clr Gungubele.
Boksburg Prison accommodates a population of 4 410 offenders from KwaThema, Tsakane, Vosloorus, Boksburg, Springs, Brakpan and others parts of Ekurhuleni.
