Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre inmates share their experience
“In life we have choices and one wrong choice can ruin the rest of your life. I’m living a life of regrets.”
Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko and the Department of Correctional Services spoke to young offenders at the Baviaanspoort correctional centre on Wednesday.
This formed part of the Gauteng provincial government’s Youth Month activities.
The programme commenced with a dialogue on safety issues and a tour of the facility.
Two inmates spoke about how they ended up in jail.
“I was arrested because I stole a cellphone. I am serving eight years for a cellphone. I was arrested when I was 17 years old, now I am 22 and still in prison,” an inmate told them.
“In life we have choices, and one wrong choice can ruin the rest of your life. I’m living a life of regrets.”
Another inmate said that he was in jail for different cases including rape, hijacking, etc.
“One thing I want to tell you is right now when you guys leave, we go into cells and sleep.
“When you get off from school, I am sleeping in a cell that has tiny windows.
“I tell you, it’s not fun here.”
He said youths should avoid committing crimes, thinking they will get away with it.
The inmates were encouraged to work closely with authorities during their rehabilitation programme.
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