New policy on the cards for prisoners' use of personal computers

CORRECTIONAL Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has announced new measures permitting prisoners who are enrolled in higher education programmes to use personal computers in their cells for the purpose of studying.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

This comes after the Constitutional Court in April confirmed the constitutional invalidity made by the Supreme Court of Appeal that the department's Policy Procedure Directorate Formal Education was unconstitutional and invalid.

The court found that the policy prohibits the use of personal computers in cells for purposes of further education in circumstances where such use is reasonably required for such further education.

It ordered the department to prepare and promulgate a revised policy within 12 months from the date of the judgment.

Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Groenewald said the apex court had ruled that no electronic equipment should be used in the cells. “Only enrolled students with institutions of higher learning will have access to the computers and the study material,” he said.