Correctional services hosts a community outreach programme
“Our role is to provide services and interventions that will contribute to the reintegration of offenders so that they become law-abiding citizens and are welcomed back into communities.”
Duduza – Nigel Correctional Services hosted a community outreach programme to integrate ex-offenders back into the community.
The community imbizo took place at the Duduza Community Hall last Thursday.
Head of Nigel community corrections Katiso Rantlha said it was important for the public to be aware of its services, what the department does and also what it means to be a parolee and a probationer.
“Our role is to provide services and interventions that will contribute to the reintegration of offenders so they become law-abiding citizens and are welcomed back into communities.
“This is done through rehabilitation programmes. We also monitor them once they are placed back into the public,” he explained.
Parolee Siphiwe Msipha (55), who has spent 21 years in and out of prison, said even though he had changed his ways, people still struggle to forgive and accept him.
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“My fear about being released from prison was that people would want to kill me for the various crimes I had committed.
“It was very difficult for me to restart my life once I got out, especially with the treatment I received from the public and some family members.
“Through the years, I have accepted the Lord Christ as my saviour and have changed my ways,” said Msipha.
He added people find it hard to believe that a person can change, regardless of how many years spent in prison.
Ex-offender Louis Ndlovu, who is now an entrepreneur and a motivational speaker, said convicts are likely to go back to crime because of a lack of support, guidance and counselling.
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“The purpose of the event is to motivate ex-offenders, parolees and probationers.
“Counselling and other rehabilitation programmes are available to you while you are still in prison but once you are out, you are on your own.
“As a result, we have seen people going in and out of prison because there’s no one to encourage or speak with them,” explained Ndlovu.
He also runs Buyisile Restoration Centre, a non-profit company, which helps ex-offenders.
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