Challenges and prospects of education in correctional facilities in Zambia: a study of selected prisons.
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Date
2022-08
Authors
Daka, Harrison
Kalimaposo, Kalisto
Kaiko, Mubita
Milupi, Inonge
Mundende, Kasonde
Mbewe, Simeon
Sepeto, Ngosa, Dorcus
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Social Science and Education Research Studies
Abstract
The study explored the challenges and prospects of education in correctional facilities in Zambia and
examined its inclusiveness. Prisons Act, Chapter 97 of the Laws of Zambia states that every prisoner
has the right to education and library facilities. Currently, most Prisoners are deprived of the right to
education and library facilities. This means that there is lack of inclusive education in prison and yet the
Zambian Law clearly mandates prison authorities to provide education to all prisoners. If this problem
is not addressed, prisoners would continue to be marginalized in the face of well documented human
rights opportunities.
The study was qualitative and used embedded case study approach with more than one unit of analysis;
one correctional centre in Lusaka and two correctional facilities in Central province were used for both
male and female inmates. The sample drawn using homogeneous purposive sampling involved 31
student prisoners; 3 senior officers from NGOs, 13 prison staff, 1 senior officer from Ministry of Home
Affairs – 1 senior officer from MoGE and 1 from TEVETA giving the total of 44 respondents. Data was
coded and categorized into themes. The findings indicated that education was not inclusive due to many
challenges such as inadequate teaching, learning, and training materials and inadequate funding from
government. There are prospects for education for prisoners, through government support in terms of
funding though not adequate, the Prisons ACT chapter 97 mandating prisons to offer education, ECZ
providing examinations, NGO and TEVETA support. The study revealed that prison education could be
made more inclusive through collaborative support of Government and NGOs. The Ministry of Home
Affairs should have clear policy guide lines on prison education. In view of the findings, the study
recommended that government should increase budget allocation to prison education and implement
prison education policy; Ministry of Education should take responsibility of prison education and
collaborate with NGOs supporting prison education.
Key words
Correctional facilities,
Prison Education,
Inclusive Education,
Right to Education
and Human Rights
Description
Article
Keywords
Education--Correctional facilities. , Correctional facilities-- education--Treatment programs. , Education challenges--Correctional institutions.