FREEDOM FOR ALL?


South African Prisoners granted a lucky break...
This article - http://www.grocotts.co.za/content/gtown-cops-brace-wave-ex-prisoners-28-05-2012 - should not have been publicized for numerous reasons!

200 prisoners will be released in the coming weeks in accordance with President Zuma's "remission of sentences to alleviate overcrowding in South African prisons" (Grocott's Mail Online, 28 May 2012) initiative.

I believe that this should have been done in secret. Yes, people will say that they have the "Right to Know" if ex-prisoners will be roaming the streets so that they can take necessary steps in protecting themselves.

With that said, who's going to hire an ex-prisoner? Who's going to give them a chance at redemption? Rhodes? Can you imagine the outrage if it comes out that Rhodes hired ex-prisoners? Hi-tech? Ha! And Grahamstownians will feel safer knowing their safety's in the hands of robbers and thieves, right?

And so what chance do these prisoners have at starting afresh? I doubt many of them can afford to leave grahamstown in pursuit of greener pastures. Irrespective of the means, how many people will be keen on taking on criminal hands for hire?

Eventually, they will revert back to crime! It's is inevitable that a good number of them will land back in prison within the next 5 years.

This article, cautioning people to remain vigilant of these ex-prisoners, is counter-productive to their rehabilitation into society! It serves naught but to condition ostracisation principles and fear in Grahamstonians.

If we were to welcome these people into our communities and socio-economic playgrounds and condition them, in turn, to adhere to social norms - would we not then be living up to our inherent Ubuntuism-based African moral philosophy?

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This photograph is of the cast from the Baxter Theatre's 2009
production, PRISON CODES.
http://realreview.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Prison-Codes.jpg

How you can protect yourself - advice from SAPS spokesperson Captain Mali Govender 

1. Once the prisoners are released, try and find out who they are and what crimes they committed.

2. Do not approach them or take the law into your own hands.

3. Be cautious and ensure that these people do not pose a danger to you or your family.

4. Be careful about the information that you give to convicted criminals.

5. If you see them do anything suspicious, contact the police immediately.

6. According to correctional services, the community should remain calm and not panic.

7. Businesses should also be cautious and immediately alert police about any suspicious actions.

Source: Grahamstown SAPS spokesperson Captain Mali Govender

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How do we grow as a Nation when we cannot find it within ourselves to forgive? Maybe I'm naive, but everybody deserves a second chance.

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