Question NW2045 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
06 July 2022 - NW2045
Dyantyi, Mr QR to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)Whether he has found that inmates in correctional centres in the Northern Cape who are pursuing higher education are getting the necessary support; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether the skills development programmes for inmates are linked with the various technical, vocational education and training colleges and/or other learning institutions in the specified province; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) What total number of inmates have been given access to accredited skills programmes in the correctional centres in (a) Kimberley and (b) Upington; (4) Whether he has found that the specified correctional centres have enough sports and recreational facilities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Northern Cape consists of 13 Correctional Centres, support is provided to offenders who are pursuing higher education at the following centres:
- Tswelopele Correctional Centre
Educators are assigned to register and assist students with the relevant institution in compliance with the approved DCS Formal Education policy including administrative assistance. Daily time slots are allocated to assist with queries relating to their studies.
Laptops are checked on a regular basis to ensure that students adhere to relevant guidelines. A total of forty (40) laptops are available at the Tswelopele Hub for students who pursue their studies.
All students in the Northern Cape with a need to use the laptops should thus be at Tswelopele Correctional Centre at Kimberley. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with UNISA which guides interventions and services relating to education and related support. Data and a modem have been provided to students writing exams online.
- Upington Correctional Centre:
DCS assists Offenders doing DHET Programmes with the following:
- All registration processes;
- Examination administration and arrangements;
- Submission of tasks, projects and assignments;
- Queries related to their studies; &
- Provision of tutorial letters and assignments.
2. Yes, all Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes are linked with the Department of Higher Education and Training. All TVET programmes are portable in that an offender can continue with their studies at any TVET College after release.
Skills development programs offered are linked to the funding requirements of the National Skills Fund (NSF) for service providers to give accredited training. Relationships exist between MERSETA and Northern Cape TVET College for accreditation for the Motor Mechanics workshop and to purchase the equipment in the Motor Mechanics workshop.
Tswelopele Correctional Centre is completely self-sufficient in terms of National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) programmes (N1-N6). There are lecturers and thus it is regarded as a TVET College. Northern Cape Urban TVET College assists Tswelopele Correctional Centre with examination support and moderation of learner portfolios.
In Upington, an MoU was signed with the Northern Cape Rural TVET College. The offenders benefit from this agreement as of February 2022, one Technical Educator is already available to provide support in this regard.
(3)(a) Kimberley Female Correctional
|
Accredited Program |
No of female learners |
NQF Level |
|
Computer Repair |
13 |
04 |
|
Nail Technology |
08 |
04 |
|
Building & Plastering |
08 |
03 |
(3)(a) Tswelopele Correctional Facility
|
Accredited Program |
No of Learners |
NQF Level |
|
Electrical |
15 |
02 |
|
Hairdressing |
10 |
03 |
|
Building and plastering (8 female) |
28 |
02 |
|
Assistant Chef |
25 |
02 |
|
Bakery |
20 |
02 |
|
Garment Making |
25 |
02 |
|
Nail Technology (female) |
25 |
02 |
|
Motor Mechanics |
60 |
02 |
|
Computer Repair (female 13) |
30 |
02 |
|
New Venture Creation |
22 |
03 |
|
TOTAL |
260 |
(3)(b) Upington Correctional Centre
|
Accredited Program |
No of Learners |
NQF Level |
|
Cabinet Building |
10 |
1 |
|
Computer Literacy |
10 |
1 |
|
Building and plastering |
10 |
1 |
|
Sewing |
10 |
1 |
4. All offenders participate in various sporting activities. The provincial Department of Sports, Arts and Culture in the Northern Cape is offering programmes such as accredited soccer training in level 1 and 2 refereeing course, aerobics, arts, library training amongst others.
In addition, all offenders are encouraged to participate in the Funda Mzantsi programme.
Kimberley Correctional Centre:
The centre has a library and an active book club, accessible to all offenders. There is a gym with equipment for female offenders as well as netball, volley ball and a soccer ground to be utilised by female offenders. TVs are also available and other different indoor games are also provided.
Tswelopele Correctional Centre:
The Correctional Centre has three 03 well equipped gyms. Offenders participate in the Funda Mzantsi programme – reading, analysing books, debates and Spelling B. This is done in conjunction with Sol Plaatje University and the Northern Cape Department of Sports, William Humphrey Art Gallery presents art workshops and will host the Offender Art Exhibition on a date to be confirmed.
Kuruman Correctional Centre:
The Correctional Centre has a sports field for playing soccer and other outdoor activities, as well as a gym and a library.
Upington Correctional Centre:
Offenders are using courtyards for recreational activities such as painting, board and indigenous games as well as to play soccer. Gyms are also available. Furthermore, there is a library available in order to encourage and promote a culture of learning, reading and writing as well as to promote access to knowledge and information.
Douglas Correctional Centre:
Offenders participate in Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SRAC) programmes offered by DCS ( as per the Daily Structured Programme): Soccer, Cycling, Recreational activities (Courtyards): Indoor games: dominos, Cards, board games, Library programmes, Funda Mzantsi: Offenders have book clubs: reading, analysing books, debates and Spelling B.
END.