Correctional services held community empowerment sessions with Mams locals
Baviaanspoort prison engaged Mamelodi residents about the services it offered to help offenders change their life inside and outside prison.
Mamelodi residents have been inspired to reach their potential following empowerment sessions by Baviaanspoort prison recently.
The event was held at the Rethabile community hall in Mamelodi section SNS and attended by Mamelodi police, Future Life, Thadanani and Vhathu Phanda community forum, CPF as well as the women’s brigade.
Baviaanspoort prison parole officer Nico Seakamela said the community and Mamelodi stakeholders were invited to the sessions – Imbizo and victim offender dialogue.
He said the sessions are aimed at providing residents information on how to register a company, access funding and offer skills development and training.
“Our parolees and probationers were also given a chance to address the community who are secondary victims of the crimes that they committed,” said Seakamela.
He said the parolees spoke about what led them to prison.
Ex-armed robber turned fashion designer Ali Chauke said his rehabilitation began when he was given prison clothes that were too big for him.
Chauke, who is on parole for good behaviour, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for armed robbery.
“I altered the size for a perfect fit,” said Chauke.
He said inmates were impressed with his work and encouraged him to pursue fashion design.
He said when he started to focus on fashion, his behaviour improved hence he was later released on parole.
The residents spoke about their frustration about poor service by the police.
Thandanani drop inn centre discussed substance and drug abuse in the community.
Kate Kekana, of the centre, talked about the awareness campaigns the centre hosted against drug and substance abuse as well as the services and programmes it offered to help addicts, the homeless and affected families.
Seakamela and the police sensitised the community about crime hotspots in Mamelodi section SNS.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Daphny Maila said the police further advised the community to be vigilant at the identified hotspots such as the community park near Tsako Thabo secondary school.
She said the community must never hesitate to call the police to report suspicious behaviour, and should always monitor their neighbourhood for any suspicious activity.
She appealed to community members to work together with the police in the fight against crime while distributing the pamphlets.
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