Children in Prison in South Africa - Community Law Centre

library is kept alive by donations from the community.In Pretoria Central, a new prison, education is onlyprovided up to Standard 5. Researchers were told thatschooling had not begun (February 1997) 'because bookshadn't arrived from Gauteng' Education Department'.At Kroonstad, the prison provides education from GradeOne to Matric. The authorities complained of a lack ofresources, including books. There are np classroomsor equipment. At Virginia, only boys with sentencesof six months or more are accepted for schooling.At Pietersburg, there is one educationist for the entiremale prison population. Two of the children interviewedsaid they were interested in continuing their studies andsaid that the prison officers are supportive, help themget books and assist them when they have difficulties.The older juveniles also help them with their studies.Some of the prisons, however, have well equippedschools.At Brandvlei, ten teachers are provided by the Departmentof Correctional Services, and the school is attendedby half the juveniles at the prison. In 1-996, the prisonreported a 70% pass rate for the matriculationexamination. The school caters for the entire spectrum- from literacy teaching to the upper high school classes,up to matric. The educationist said that all children arewelcome at the school, although some of the prisonerscontested this and said they had not been allowed togo. The school also invites outsiders to give lecturesat the school, particularly in the life skills area.At Brandvlei, prisoners not involved in education andtraining programmes are required to work. They dogardening, painting and agricultural work. Some ofthe children complained that they are forced to workand not allowed to attend school, but the educationistreiterated that all prisoners interested in learning couldattend school.Barberton provides a comprehensive education programme,ranging from literacy teaching to matriculationlevel. As there are six qualified teachers and only 12pupils per class, children arejikely to get plenty ofindividual attention. The teachers are assisted by stafltrained as teachers and inmate tutors. Life skills trainingis also provided. Researchers were told that a computerroom is planned for the learning centre at this prison.At the Ekuseni Youth Development Centre, a fulleducational and vocational training programme isbeing piloted. However, during a visit on a Friday,during ordinary school hours, neither vocational noreducational programmes were in progress.The Westville Youth Centre employs eight teachers anduses two others from the adult section of the prison. Atthis institution, researchers were told that just over halfthe sentenced children attend school. School is, however,voluntary, and the authorities say they have noway to guarantee attendance.At Thohoyandou, three qualified teachers serve 1000prisoners, helped by prison officers who have attendeea 'two week training programme'. Education is provided