This was part of Parkview police’s Social Crime Prevention Project, and Sergeant Iris Phoko said it was hoped that if pupils got to see the harsh reality of life behind bars they would think twice before getting involved in criminal activities.
“We are preventing crime at school level… Because when the pupils grow up, they will be scared of committing crimes,” she said.
Pupils visited the female and male sections of the prison and listened to several stories about why some of the inmates were behind bars.
A female prisoner told them how she ended up on the other side of the walls: “I used to like the ‘it’ life and wanted to be recognised, live in a luxury house and drive a nice car.”
The convicted drug mule said she was offered R60 000 to carry illegal narcotics into the country. She said she was in debt and when she met a Nigerian man who suggested she carry drugs from Brazil, she leapt at the chance. However, she was caught and sentenced to 15 years in prison where she now works at the prison’s salon as a beautician.
“Education is what is best; stay away from trouble,” said the mother who only sees her son for an hour, twice a year.
The pupils were also treated to a play highlighting the reality of prison life.
They also interacted with inmates, among them a man involved in the R100-million OR Tambo Airport heist in 2006.
Phoko encouraged pupils to stay away from drugs and crime.
Hope School provides education and therapy to physically disabled pupils and those with barriers to learning.
