BARBERTON -As part of the school-safety programme, the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison in collaboration with the Department of Education, gave more than 240 learners from different schools the opportunity to interact with inmates at Barberton Prison.
It was organised to expose them to a prison environment and discourage them from committing crime.
The learners who came from KwaMhlanga and Bushbuckridge were cheerful when they arrive but later, when inmates started to share with them the challenges that they faced in prison, there were mixed emotions.
It was an eye-opener for some of them. Thembelihle Ngoma of Hlonipha Secondary School in KwaMhlanga said,
“To me, it was not just a tour. I have learnt a lot from my brothers and it’s very sad to heart their stories of how they ended up in jail .It is true that we say life is very tough inside. I’m now motivated to focus on my studies so that I can have a brighter future. ”.
The steps taken by both departments were applauded by circuit managers as they believed that learners who were giving them problems at school had learnt that crime didn’t pay. Ms Thokozile Khoza of Barberton Circuit
said,
“We really appreciate what both departments did for our children because they need guidance since they face many challenges. They end up doing bad things in life that might put them in jail “Some of them cannot cope with peer pressure. We need such visits to keep them aware on what life is like outside .Even those kids who are behind bars, deserve a second chance after they complete their sentences. Let us not judge them, instead, let us treat them as human beings because they made mistakes and I’m glad that they are now aware of their wrong deeds,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the correctional services, the area commissioner , Mr Marubini Netshivhazwalusaid such initiatives played a very significant role in terms of giving young people direction.
“I hope they are going to share what they have learnt today with their peers who were not so fortunate to get this opportunity of exposure to this environment “he concluded.
