Unisa KZN Region donates books to Westville Correctional Services

The Unisa KwaZulu-Natal Region recently paid a visit to the  Westville Correctional Services. The Unisa library partnered with the centre and is developing a solid working relationship. The partnership aims to enhance student support and learning experiences for the academic advancement of offenders registered as students at Unisa. Access to information and books is an integral part of the rehabilitation process for offenders. As part of this initiative, the Unisa library handed over 350 donated books on different subject areas to enhance the current library collection at Westville.

Left-right: Thabile Luthuli, Section Head for Formal Education and Training at the Durban Female Correctional Centre; Pooben Pillay, Manager of the Education and Training Facility at Westville Prison; Linda Nhlumayo, Unisa Manager of Decentralised Services; Sibongisile Ngubane, Unisa Library Manager

Thabisile Luthuli, Section Head for Formal Education and Training at the Durban Female Correctional Centre, says she obtained three qualifications from Unisa and joined the Correctional Services team last year. She is grateful that Unisa has an open-door policy and that students can study anywhere in the country. Luthuli adds: “Education plays a vital role in rehabilitating the students at this centre, which has the best results out of all the Correctional Services Educational Centres in the country.” She continues: “The book donation will play a huge role in assisting offenders with their studies.”

Pooben Pillay, Manager of the Education and Training Facility at Westville Prison, says the partnership with Unisa is significant for Correctional Services to help rehabilitate offenders. He explains: “ We hope that Unisa can also step in to help us with internet connectivity needs.” Pillay says that while the centre has the equipment to convert printed books into braille or audiobooks for blind students, poor internet connectivity is one of the challenges they face. He also appealed to Unisa to find ways to improve inter-library services for students.

*By Jo Cossavella, Communications Officer, Unisa KwaZulu-Natal Region