Sixty-one learners from Janrell and Thobelani secondary schools in Standerton were given a firsthand glimpse of life behind bars at Standerton Correctional Facility on August 19, as part of a school safety programme aimed at discouraging crime and unruly behaviour among learners.

The programme was coordinated by the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services and the Department of Education.

The learners toured the correctional facility to experience prison life and gain a better understanding of the consequences of criminal behaviour.

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As part of the visit, inmates addressed the learners and shared personal experiences about the circumstances and choices that led to their imprisonment.

The learners also received motivational talks from prison tour facilitator Buan Lille, COI supervisor, and members of the correctional facility’s management team.

The initiative sought to educate learners about the realities of incarceration while encouraging them to make positive choices and avoid delinquency and behaviour that could put their futures at risk.