The commissioner of Correctional Services for Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West Region, Commissioner Alfred Tsetsane, has urged for a partnership between correctional officials and institutions for higher learning for the implementation of empowerment programmes and to develop alternative solutions for the rehabilitation of offenders.

Tsetsane opened a regional consultative conference on the rehabilitation of offenders at the University of Venda on Monday. More than 300 delegates from civil societies, community leaders and representatives from Univen and the Turfloop campus of the University of Limpopo attended the conference.

Tsetsane said community organisations could present rehabilitation and spiritual-care programmes and offer training programmes to offenders.

“One of the biggest problems facing an ex-offender is the stigma associated with having been an offender. The fact is that if they are not accepted back into society and provided with opportunities to participate in the economy and community life, chances are good that they may revert back to crime,” added Tsetsane. He also told the gathering that every rehabilitated offender deserved a second chance.

During the conference, presentations were also made on education, development studies, public health, and psychology. “We want input from academics and communities on how best we can change the lives of offenders for the better as soon as they are released from prison," he added.