Prisoner IT training nominated for award

Johannesburg, 19 Nov 2007

A pilot project, involving the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) teaching criminals computer skills as part of a rehabilitation programme, has been nominated for a best practice award by the European Computer Driving Licence Foundation (ECDLF).

The objective of the award is for the ECDLF to recognise and acknowledge licensee initiatives and projects it considers to be successful examples of best practice in the implementation of the foundation`s programmes.

"The ECDLF has nominated this project as it believes it shows commitment and dedication by government to skills upliftment and people development," says ICDL SA CEO Jennifer van Niekerk.

In August, 20 woman prisoners from Pollsmoor and 20 juvenile convicts from Malmesbury prisons obtained ICDL certification, after completing their examinations as part of a skills development programme.

The DCS is the first correctional institution in the world to offer internationally-accredited computer literacy certification on an open source platform to prisoners.

The convicts were also the first candidates in the world to be tested on the open source automated testing software, which was developed in SA. The software was last month made available to 150 other ICDL licensees, at a function in Barcelona, Spain.

Correctional Services Portfolio Committee chairman Dennis Bloem says the Parliamentary body is "extremely proud that the ICDL and the DCS have been nominated for this award as it shows the world that, we as South Africans, are committed to making a better life for all in our country".

Bloem says the DCS`s vision is to be one of the best service providers in the world by delivering correctional services with integrity and commitment to excellence.

"This nomination truly shows minister Ngconde Balfour`s commitment to this vision. We are very proud and privileged that the ICDL decided to partner with DCS in order to achieve this vision."