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UNISA recognises educators in Correctional Services for their outstanding efforts

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) educators were honoured by the University of South Africa (UNISA) Department of Psychology: Inside-out Outside-in South African Corrections Interest Group for their outstanding work in providing outstanding educational outcomes for prisoners pursuing their studies in DCS schools across the nation.

The Correctional Educators Appreciation Day at the Unisa Main Campus was an opportunity to recognise the transforming power of their work and to honour DCS educators for their unwavering dedication to elevating the imprisoned through education.

In 2023, Convicted matriculants broke academic chains, their results showed that inmates had exceeded the national pass mark by reaching 93,2% prisoners housed in correctional facilities and 84% candidates working part-time.

Nkosi Phathekile, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, also gave inmates recognition by awarding them together with their hardworking teachers in all of the correctional facilities who are imparting skills to the convicts.

“The academic accomplishments of prisoners highlight the transformational power of the education within the correctional system,” adding that it has shown the ability to rehabilitate and reintegrate prisoners back into society, breaking the cycle of crime.

“Educators are generally not given enough credit or recognition,” UNISA Executive Director for Tuition Support and Learning Facilitation, Professor Meahabo Magano, emphasised in her speech.

Prof. Magano applauded DCS for ensuring that educational opportunities remain accessible to the jail population and encouraged the organization’s educators to keep up the good job.

“One prisoner at a time, we are continuing in changing lives,” she said.

Dr. Mbongiseni Mdakane, senior psychology lecturer highlighted the support provided to thousands of inmates in correctional facilities for their tertiary studies.

“The relationship between the two institutions has enabled thousands to achieve their goals while in prison, contributing to a just, peaceful, and safer South Africa. Correctional educators’ tireless efforts to empower the incarcerated contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders,” he said.

The DCS skills development directorate Marion Johnson, underlines the department’s deliberate approach to rehabilitating convicts by emphasising how crucial other programmes and formal education are to supporting rehabilitation.

“In addition to offering accrediting certifications for abilities, DCS collaborates with other educational establishments to empower people via programmes in social work, psychology, TVET courses, sports, and the arts. DCS educators put forth great effort to maintain offenders’ motivation and dedication to their education,” said Johnson.

Marion Johnson emphasised the cruciality of the mother programmes and formal education programmes that support and encourage rehabilitation. By Keletso Mkhwanazi

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