We laud Prison Inmates Tertiary Education Programme
The primary goal of prison rehabilitation programmes is to help inmates address their offending behaviours and acquire skills necessary for successful reintegration into society.
The programme aims to reduce recidivism rates through education, vocational training and other support services. However, societal perceptions of prisons often focus on retribution, incapacitation and deterrence rather than rehabilitation.
As a result, individuals released from prison often face stigma and discrimination, making it challenging for them to reintegrate into society.
In this context, the Prison Inmates Tertiary Education Programme (PITEP) implemented by the Plan Volta Foundation in partnership with the Ghana Prisons Service and the University of Cape Coast (UCC) is a remarkable achievement.
The programme provides incarcerated individuals with free access to higher education, enabling them to pursue university degrees while serving their sentences.
A total of 63 inmates successfully completed studies in various disciplines through PITEP, equipping them with academic and professional skills that increased their chances of successful reintegration into society upon release.
By providing education and skills training, PITEP helps to break the cycle of recidivism and promotes a more inclusive and supportive society.
This programme serves as a model for innovative approaches to prison rehabilitation and reintegration, highlighting the importance of education and skills development in reducing recidivism rates and promoting the safety of the community.
The Daily Graphic is impressed with the initiative by the NGO, the Prisons Service and the UCC to provide university education to inmates.
The successful graduation of 63 inmates with degrees in Commerce and Education is a testament to their determination, strength and commitment to personal growth and rehabilitation.
We commend UCC for filling a critical gap in the prison system, providing inmates with skills and qualifications which will enable them to reintegrate into society upon their release.
We urge the stakeholders to make PITEP a permanent feature in all prisons across the country, promoting lifelong learning and aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4).
And by providing inclusive and equitable quality education, we can empower inmates to contribute positively to society upon their release.
It's worth noting that some inmates may be incarcerated due to mistaken identity or lack of representation.
Education and rehabilitation programmes like PITEP offer a second chance, promoting redemption and reintegration into society.
PITEP ensures that incarceration does not mark the end of one's pursuit of education and dreams.
The government's commitment to rehabilitation, as signalled by the Deputy Minister for the Interior, is reassuring.
The Daily Graphic urges other NGOs and civil society organisations to partner with the Plan Volta Foundation to offer programmes in prisons and provide inmates with skills and certification.
UCC’s investment of over GH¢2.5 million in the initiative, through its fee-waiver policy, is commendable.
The graduation ceremony, held within the Nsawam Prison precincts, serves as motivation for other inmates to enrol.
The onus is now on the Prisons Service to contribute to the programme's sustenance, as promised by the university.
This collaboration can help make the programme a success, providing inmates with a second chance at life.
