Zonderwater Correctional Services held a community engagement with the intention to resolve relationship problems and substance abuse challenges among parolees, probationers and their caregivers on the road to rehabilitation.
Officials and social workers led more than 100 community members comprised of families and caregivers who came to support their 17 parolees and probationers at the Tshepong multi-purpose centre hall in Refilwe on Thursday, November 17.
Dr Fabian, the Florence Treatment Centre, Department of Social Development (DSD), SANCA, Mali Martin, Second Chance, The National Youth Development Agency (TYDA), South African Partners and various other healthcare stakeholders joined the heated community engagement.
Recipients were fetched from Refilwe, KwaMhlanga, Zithobeni, Nkangala and other nearby communities. The event focused on settling challenges faced by parolees, probationers and their caregivers while serving their outstanding correctional sentence within the community.
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“As unemployment and stigmatisation are of high concern to parolees and probationers, they are easily lured back to their wrong friends and evil deeds that led them to be arrested before.
“This does not sit well with the families and caregivers who promised correctional services authorities’ accountability when these parolees and probationers serve the remaining correctional sentence at their home,” said Zonderwater Community Corrections head, Thandiwe Maya.
According to Maya, it is their responsibility to provide after-care programmes to parolees and probationers while serving the remainder of their correctional sentence.
“They are still confronted with the challenges of drugs and substance abuse by parolees and probationers who also cry of ill-treatment and stigmatisation by their caregivers and community members,” said Maya.
“We are here to determine the root cause of drugs and substance abuse, and also how family and caregivers can assist parolees and probationers.”
Maya added that the number of parolees and probationers who abuse drugs and other substances will reduce if all stakeholders and the community work together to curb this pandemic.
Maya further pleaded with the community and families to appreciate those smaller efforts achieved by ex-offenders.
Caregiver, Rebecca Phadime, was concerned about parolees and probationers who are still involved with crime after their incarcerations. She said this leads them (parolees) to create more lies and dishonesty.
“Our children should learn to be honest and not lie to us,” said Phadime.
She added that parolees often lie about their whereabouts which makes it difficult to respond to monitoring officials during their visits.
“I love and support my child, but I cannot be part of assisting him in parole violation,” she concluded.
Parolee, Poleng Mokoba, said that he is willing to serve in community programmes to demonstrate remorse for his wrongdoings in the community.
“We are, however, still faced with the challenges of stigmatisation and a criminal record that hinder us to find employment. I am trying hard to regain the trust of my family and community who are still judgmental,” Mokoba said.
Mokoba also promised that he is a changed man. He pleaded with the community to offer small jobs so parolees can provide for their families.
“Zonderwater Correctional Services is in partnership with SA Partners, Dr Fabian, the Florence Treatment Centre and other various health care providers in ensuring that parolees and probationers are integrated back into society, free of drugs and substance abuse.
“The outcome of commissions is that community forums will monitor and evaluate problems such as unemployment, poverty, criminal records and substance abuse by ex-offenders, probationers and parolees.
“Plans were discussed and earmarked as a first preference programme in the year to come,” said Mashudu Mutamba, communication officer for Zonderwater Correctional Services.
