[LISTEN] ‘It’s changing my life,’ says Boksburg inmate turned upholster
A 28-year-old offender says the educational programs at the Boksburg Correctional Facility is not only changing his life, but he’s certain he’ll never return to jail because of it.
“If I don’t want to do this thing, I must do this thing upholstery then I’m covered. Then I won’t come back in prison,” the man known as Linde said to Jacaranda FM News on Saturday.
He’s has been convicted of robbery and has served 7 years and 6 months of the minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.
Journalists accompanied Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola on inspections of the facility’s workshops on Saturday.
The programs are accredited by merSETA and inmates receive a certificate upon completion of the course.
Linde is confident that he found his calling and vowed to never return.
“I feel much more happy because it give me an idea how to make a living outside.”