By Mary Rauto
Friday, October 17, 2008
OFFENDERS should achieve a minimum education level by the time they leave prison.
Tailevu Provincial Council chairman Joseva Serulagilagi challenged the Prisons Department to further the education of offenders.
"It was revealed in the article "Exploring the Prisoner Within" that under the Yellow Ribbon Project, one of the offenders had undertaken a creative writing course from the University of the South Pacific," he said.
"Also, another offender was engaged in artistic painting with a planned art gallery in the pipeline.
"While this is certainly a means of educational development, ideally, it would auger well if the prison authorities established a minimum educational program for all offenders.
"For example, under a minimum educational program, all offenders upon release, would have achieved a Form Six level pass."
Mr Serulagilagi said if an offender wanted to further his or her education to tertiary level, the opportunity ought to be offered.
"This will also place offenders on a favourable level in securing job opportunities upon release," he said.
"Furthermore, this notion links back to the idea that education is the cornerstone of all facets of development and improved living."