Correctional centres revamp old-age home in Perdekop
The Department of Correctional Services observed Corrections Week by having parolees and probationers renovate the Siphumelele Old Age Care Centre in Perdekop, highlighting the benefits of rehabilitation.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) observed Corrections Week from September 22 to 28.
Corrections Week is an annual DCS public education campaign in September to promote awareness of the correctional system. It emphasises the benefits of rehabilitating offenders and their effective social reintegration.
As part of Corrections Week, Community Corrections from the Bethal Management Area worked at the Siphumelele Old Age Care Centre in Perdekop.
The Dr Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality donated the care centre site in April. At the time, it was an abandoned, dilapidated house.
“The Department of Social Development (DSD) helped with materials, while the DCS provided the labour of parolees and probationers. They rebuilt the structure, installed electricity, plastered walls, painted the roof and are now installing ceilings and painting walls,” said Sphiwe Mahlangu, the spokesperson for the Bethal Management Area.
Corrections Week provides a platform for probationers and parolees to showcase the skills they acquired during rehabilitation and is an opportunity to foster their social reintegration.
On the event day, the Perdekop community also felt the generosity of correctional officials.
“Officials from the Bethal Management Area donated groceries and fresh vegetables harvested in their correctional centres and cooked food for the elders,” said Mahlangu.
The Volksrust Community Corrections adopted the centre.
Bethal Community Corrections official Dudu Hlatshwayo said the event highlighted the vital role of education and skills development in rehabilitating offenders through DCS development programmes.
A social worker at the Volksrust Community Corrections, Silindile Vilakazi, spoke about the importance of social reintegration. She appealed to communities to accept parolees and probationers because they must give back to society through the skills learnt while incarcerated.
“We hope this work encourages the community to accept them as changed people. Such outreach programmes may decrease the stigmatisation of ex-offenders,” said Vilakazi.
Parolee Jacob Malinhleko thanked Community Corrections for the chance to showcase his skills to the community and pleaded with the audience to see him as a changed man.
“The DCS gives inmates educational opportunities; individual choices differ. I stand here as that product,” said Malinhleko.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation (DCSR) donated playing cards, hula-hoops and other gaming equipment. Clinical nurse Lihle Mthembu from the Department of Health spoke about common medical conditions faced by the elderly and encouraged regular exercise.
The initiative demonstrated the DCS’s commitment to supporting rehabilitation and reintegration.
