Langelihle Chagwe

Langelihle Chagwe

Inmates at Boksburg Prison's juvenile centre had a day filled with fun yesterday when they celebrated Corrections Week.

Drama sketches highlighting the importance of the correction of inmates were performed by prisoners, as well as music and gumboot dances.

An inmate, Vusi Dyase, read a poem he wrote entitled: You are our parents who were hurt by us.

The activities were part of the Department of Correctional Services' second Corrections Week held from yesterday until Friday.

Correctional Services' regional commissioner of Gauteng Tozama Mqobi said the aim was to create an awareness of the department's role to socially transform and develop inmates.

"It is further aimed at mobilising partnerships to strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society."

Mqobi said it was important that prisoners are rehabilitated and thanked the community for the role they play.

"Our real intention is to mobilise, build and strengthen partnerships with the general public and various sectors of society towards approaching corrections as a social responsibility," said Mqobi.

Ekurhuleni mayoral portfolio committee for safety and security councillor Ndosi Shongwe said: "We are here because of you. We are mothers and fathers, we need to see you living a normal life after your jail term."

Shongwe said she did not want the inmates to commit crimes when they were released from prison.

"We want you to be accepted in the communities where you committed crimes."

She said the Ekurhuleni council has offered bursaries to Boksburg prisoners.

Generations actress Sophie Ndaba, known as Queen in the popular soapie, said inmates needed to be accepted by the community when they are out of prison and need their help to start a new life.

Mveleli "Dr Love" Gqwede said it was the community's duty to encourage and rehabilitate inmates for them to have value in the society they had hurt.