Compulsory education for convicts

Kornhub

Kornhub

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Johannesburg - Convicted prisoners who do not have a Grade 9 or higher qualification, will have to get one, it was reported on Tuesday.

Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele had announced that from 1 April, it would be compulsory for prisoners to complete Adult Education and Training (ABET) levels one to four, Beeld reported.

Ndebele made the announcement at the department's annual awards evening in Polokwane at the weekend.

The newspaper reported that Ndebele said prisons were "not holiday destinations where you just eat and sleep" and that prisoners needed to walk out of the doors with at least a certificate and a skill.

Last year, the matric pass rate for convicts was reportedly 79% compared to 68% in 2011.

Ndebele said the pilot project designed to electronically monitor paroled prisoners had been a success.

The project, which was started last February, and could also be extended to prisoners serving their sentences inside prisons, he said.

- SAPA
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http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Compulsory-education-for-convicts-20130305
 
Not a bad idea at all.

I'd still use prisoners as an unpaid labour force as well though.
 
Someone is going to complain to the ConCourt on the basis of discrimination.

Adults not in prison are not forced to complete matric bla bla...

Matric is already a worthless qualification, personally I think learning a trade would be a far better idea.
 
Problem is which employer will employ someone with a criminal record
 
Yeah, can't see this stand up in ConCourt. Who will make the case though? Either way I think just improving the information in prison on potential education is a step up.
 
Garson007 said:
Yeah, can't see this stand up in ConCourt. Who will make the case though? Either way I think just improving the information in prison on potential education is a step up.
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What constitutionally protected rights are infringed here?
 
Hmmm... cynical me is just annoyed, that prisoners are given the facility and opportunity for an education at the taxpayers expense. I would rather see that money go towards improving our current education system. But regardless- I do see the benefit of this.
 
Garson007 said:
Forcing education on them.
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I am well aware of what you were stating, I'm asking what specific constitutionally protected rights will be infringed by forcing education on inmates? As it is, education is compulsory for certain age groups, so extending the scope will not infringe on any basic human rights...
 
When I was younger we could go and rent prisoners as day labourers. Back then you paid the prison R 0.50 per day. Thenm you could use then to work in your garden, help you build or whatever. It was in Middelburg MP though and wasn't hardened criminals. It was those that had more to lose by running than staying on another few months.

They had a day out, worked hard and got fed lekker food for the day. I would like something like that to return. I would support these inmates and if they leave prison I might even use them on a perm bases after learning the trade while doing hands on training so to speak while in prison.

This is a win/win but I suppose it's open for abuse as well.
 
Yeah DJ... I'm not sure. I'm really just guessing.

Pitbull, they'll have to be paid minimum wage and they have to voluntarily choose to come work, but yeah no harm in such a system.
 
Infringement of bill of rights section 12: freedom and security of the person

This is the same section that was used to justify abortion. They say that a woman has the freedom to choose what she does with her body therefore prisoners must also enjoy the right freedom of choice.

"1. Everyone has the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right
a. not to be deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause
b. not to be detained without trial;
c. to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources;
d. not to be tortured in any way; and
e. not to be treated or punished in a cruel,inhuman or degrading way.

2. Everyone has the right to bodily and psychological integrity, which includes the right
a. to make decisions concerning reproduction;
b. to security in and control over their body; and
c. not to be subjected to medical or scientific experiments without their informed consent."
 
I still don;t see anything there that could possibly preclude education being made compulsory.

Please bare in mind that education is already compulsory. Clearly it is not unconsitutional, and based on section 12, I cannot see how it could possibly be...
 
Education being compulsary has not been contested in the cosnstitutional court. I agree that it's compulsary, doesn't mean it's constitutional though. Just my 2c's :o
 
I don't see how it's any different to forcing education onto children.
 
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