show ‘reform’
Nawaal Deane
Sex, gangsters and robberies are the main focus of articles in the Boksburg Progressive Press, with drawings of dismal prison cells reflecting the gloomy life of a prisoner.
The newspaper, introduced as a rehabilitation programme in the Department of Correctional Services’s Boksburg prison, may not interest Rupert Murdoch or Tony O’Reilly, but inmates are excited about it – even though it is a type of journalism where freedom of expression is not taken for granted.
Prisoners in the project are given the opportunity to learn basic reporting skills. They aim to eventually sell the newspaper to the outside world.
The unusual idea was introduced in September last year by Proctor Dladla, a history teacher at Alafang High School, who has experience in organising school newspapers. Every Saturday morning he gives the inmates leads for stories they might want to work on and they are allowed to wander in the prison to investigate their stories.
Not surprisingly, the wardens seem to be suspicious of the content of the prison newspaper.
“Freedom of expression in prison is limited. We will be censored by the wardens,” says Sipho Zwane, a member of the project. “We are aware of issues like defamation and corruption, but our focus is on positive aspects in prison.”
Another inmate, Sello Rex Molefe, says: “We also want to communicate externally to show victims of criminal acts that some of us do change and maybe we can change the mindset of people if they read our paper.”
The articles try to educate on issues like HIV/Aids. Prisoner Lebogang Jeffrey Mamosebo says: “Condoms are distributed to all prisoners, but they don’t know anything about Aids so they don’t bother to use them. We can use the newspaper to make prisoners aware of this problem and how to protect themselves.”
In “The Cold War between inmates” Mamosebo writes: “It seems as if prison is a place of hell where confrontation between prisoners is our daily bread.”
In an article headlined “Respect”, Harry Visagie writes about the behaviour of inmates to wardens: “In spite of the treatment we get, we still show them a great deal of respect. We even say ‘dankie’ when they lock us up.”
“They know that prison is no five-star hotel,” writes Zwane in an article on the free men and women who visit the prison.
The articles are accompanied by pictures drawn by Martin Madisha, who is serving a seven-year sentence. “I read a story and use my pencils as a camera,” he says, “so each article will have a picture.”
The newspaper is only published once wardens have seen the issue and granted permission for publication.
“The procedure is that the newspaper will not be published unless I scrutinise all the articles in the newspaper,” says Ben Modifedisa, head of Boksburg correctional services.
“We don’t want any media involved in the programme and the newspaper will be circulated inside the prison, unless we get permission from headquarters. We have no funds for printing the newspaper and if they need sponsors they will have to go through the necessary channels.”
This particular rehabilitation programme has raised debate among prison wardens and the community.
Mamosebo believes that this rehabilitation programme works because it gives participants a sense of freedom and alleviates the boredom. It gives the inmates skills and a sense of self-worth. “When I write I open my heart,” he says, “and I am free through my writing.”
“We regret what we have done and we feel our punishment,” says Zwane, “but through this newspaper we believe we can show the people we sinned against that we want to reform. We won’t give up.”