SENTENCED to life imprisonment, offenders at the Qalakabusha Prison in Empangeni are often referred to as ‘lifers’, but last week these inmates stepped out in celebration of their life-changing rehabilitation achievements.
Unit 12 maximum section houses offenders convicted of serious crimes and they are required to undergo several rehabilitation programmes.
According to Department of Correctional Services (DCS) Correctional Intervention Officer, Fana Mahlaba, inmates completed spiritual care programmes as well as anger management, restorative justice and correctional programmes.
‘The aim is to eradicate that which destroyed their moral fibre and to rehabilitate them accordingly to bring about a positive change,’ said Mahlaba.
Mahlaba, who is a psychometrician, said for many offenders the participation in rehabilitation programmes are the first time they are exposed to structure.
‘Many of them do not come from family backgrounds and have no previous knowledge of values, morals, structure and support.’
At the event, accompanied by dance and musical items performed by fellow inmates, DCS Chaplain Oscar Madlala shared a biblical scripture of encouragement, followed by words of motivation by Maximum Section Unit 12 Acting Manager, Zamani Dubazane.
‘Don’t idly sit here for years. There are too many opportunities offered to you to let them slip away. Equip yourself with knowledge and develop your skills. There’s a school and FET college on the premises. Study because knowledge is power and when you know better, you do better,’ he said.
Rehabilitation programmes are conducted over a four-month period. Offenders attend classes three times a week from 8am to 12pm.
In 2004 an amendment was made which stipulated that offenders sentenced to life imprisonment had to serve a standard 25 years inclusive of several rehabilitation programmes before their cases serve before the parole board.
Prior to this amendment, the standard duration was six years.
PHOTOS: Duschanka Hitzeroth
