Education behind bars

PRISONER Verikouje Kapuire who is serving jail time for rape in the Windhoek Correctional Facility had always dodged school when he was young.

That is until the 39-year-old was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison for a rape he committed at Okahandja.

Kapuire is among several prisoners who decided to educate themselves while behind bars.

A nervous-looking Kapuire explained to that he was not interested in school as he always ran away from his family when they wanted to enrol him with the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol).

Jail time forced him to take part in literacy and HIV programmes, carpentry and classes on gender-based violence.

When asked about what he has built in prison, he proudly says that he made a grandfather clock.

Kapuire explained that he has a passion for cutting hair, and hopes to open a barbershop once he is released.

Another prisoner is Kamuingona ‘Sunny’ Kahijambua, a convicted rapist, who also wants to become a better person.

Kahijambua, who is serving a 16-year jail term, was sentenced in 2014.

Wearing a white jersey, shorts and sandals, he explained that he takes part in plumbing and pipefitting classes.

He has already registered his construction and cleaning company, which he plans to manage when he is released from jail.

Kahijambua said he completed Namcol classes in prison in 2016, and currently attends the gender-based violence classes that are facilitated by the programmes’ department, which teaches him how to respect women.

The two interviews were explicitly arranged to understand educational programmes offered in prisons, and at least meet an inmate who was involved in distance education.

Safety and security minister Charles Namoloh announced earlier this year that the Namibia Correctional Service enrolled 1 225 inmates for the 2018 academic year in various educational programmes offered across Namibian prisons.

This is despite a shortage of 49 educators. About 580 inmates out of 1 225 are enrolled in the literacy programme, 56 in computer literacy, 348 in the adult upper primary programme, and 119 registered at Namcol for Grade 10.

According to the statistics, 92 inmates enrolled with Namcol for Grade 12, while 30 are studying through various tertiary institutions.

also interviewed the outspoken and confident Dumingu Da’Costa (48), a prisoner who was convicted of murder in 2014. He is serving his 20 years’ sentence.

Da’Costa walked into the interview room with sunglasses in his hands, which he later explained he needs because his eyes are sensitive to lights.

He shook my hands, smiled and sat for the interview in a room that, just like the entire prison, has camera surveillance.

Da’Costa explains that he spent nine years in custody since 2005, waiting to be convicted, but was eventually sentenced in July 2014 for murder.

He is reluctant to mention details about the crime because he has already made peace with it.

Da’Costa said he was not allowed to participate in any educational programmes in the first two years of his sentencing.

Eager to get involved more since he had known mechanical engineering, Da’Costa said he approached the prisons’ management with proposals on mechanical engineering and vocational training.

Unfortunately, the administration has not been able to assist him due to other commitments that they have.

After being advised by an inmate, he decided to study law. Since the facility does not cover interest-based studies, Da’Costa said he sold his house to pay the costs.

However, he was disappointed when he was convicted because he wouldn’t be allowed to practise.

“It was a big blow for me because I studied for a purpose, ” he said.

He added that his studies helped him to assist fellow inmates in understanding their court cases.

Showing no defeat from the low blow, he enrolled at Triumphant College in 2016 to study a master of business administration degree due to his passion for business.

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