Local learners warned about life behind bars

The Tembisa Social Crime Prevention communications officer, the GBV co-ordinator in partnership with the Department of Community Safety, Department of Education and Department of Correctional Services hosted Shukumani Primary School learners on October 11.

Mthuthuzeli Kampi, the head of Correctional Services, informed the young learners because of their age they won’t be allowed inside the jail cells.

A small group of inmates spoke to them at the lecture auditorium located in the Admin Block of Medium C.
Inmate Jeffrey, who is currently serving a 26-year sentence for robbery, shared his story of once thinking he was smart and invincible.

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However, his world came crashing down when he was arrested and sentenced.

He expressed deep remorse for not being able to raise his child, who was only eight months old at the time and has now turned eight.

Jeffrey, who hails from Thembisa, acknowledged his regret for disregarding his parents’ rules and engaging in violent behaviour at school.

He also admitted to hosting weekly parties to impress others, only to find himself behind prison walls, separated from those friends he was trying to impress.

Another inmate, Sthembiso from Alexandra, also spoke to the learners, sharing his experiences of getting involved in criminal activities at their age.

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He served as a juvenile before being transferred to the main prison.

Sthembiso warned the learners about the harsh realities he has witnessed within the prison walls, including acts of violence, rape, and assault that often go unnoticed by the correctional officers.

He described his life as a living hell.

Sthembiso opened up about losing all his siblings to a life of crime and now relying solely on his 75-year-old mother, who visits him regularly in prison.

He expressed regret for choosing to wear the orange prison uniform, a symbol of shame, instead of proudly donning a school uniform.

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He urged the learners not to follow in his footsteps and emphasised that if he could turn back time, he would make better choices and never hurt anyone again.

Both inmates shared their stories as cautionary tales, hoping to deter the learners from making the same mistakes they did.

Their messages of remorse and regret conveyed the importance of making wise decisions and valuing the opportunities presented to them, particularly the chance to receive an education and build a better future.