POLOKWANE – The reality for an offender at the Polokwane Correctional Centre was observed by the Review during a full tour of the facility last Tuesday.
The tour led by Kenneth Mthombeni, Polokwane area commissioner, formed part of the department’s Media Breakfast Behind Bars with the aim of strengthening the relationship between the department and the media. Giving the media a clear picture of the operations within the centre.
The Polokwane Correctional Centre is approved to house 539 offenders, but there are currently 1 375 offenders at the centre, 44 of which are females.
• Female unit
At this section there was beadwork art and jewellery on display, all made by the female offenders.
Review spoke to prisoner who is eight months pregnant and awaiting trail
Ierene Ashabayi said; “I am here for possession of stolen property.”
“I am going to court soon and I hope to be sent home, because my baby is coming next month and I would like to be at home. I am well looked after here at the centre, I get my check-ups on time, but I want to be at home when I give birth to my baby girl,” Ashabayi said.
• Library
Offenders have access to different books, both for reading entertainment and to help them with their school work for those who participate in learning programmes offered at the centre by experienced facilitators and educators.
• Male section
Where some offenders were busy exercising. At the males awaiting trail unit, some of the offenders were basking in the sunlight outside their cells, some were busy cutting their hair and others were in their cells.
• The kitchen
The kitchen was spotless. The cooks who prepare meals for the offenders, are offenders themselves who are advanced in their rehabilitation programme.
• Kitchen storeroom
Where all the dry foods, the freezers and cool room is kept – “Weekly samples of food served are kept in the locked cool room for seven days. This is for safety and investigation purposes should cases of poisoning be reported,” explains Mthombeni.
