Employment poser for rehabilitated inmates

PAROLEES and rehabilitated prison inmates are finding it difficult to obtain employment as employers discriminate against them, even if they meet the job requirements.

This lures them back to a life of crime they are trying to escape from.The issue was raised at a KwaDukuza Municipality meeting, the purpose of which, among others, was to allow parolees, rehabilitated inmates and social partners to speak with one voice and get a thorough understanding of issues confronting them during their reintegration into society.

KwaDukuza Deputy Mayor Dolly Govender urged former inmates to play a more active role in educating the youth, helping to steer them away from a life that will see them end up behind bars.

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Govender said the programme was part of a variety of initiatives by KwaDukuza Mayor Ricardo Mthembu to promote a more coordinated communication system between the municipality and various community stakeholders.

‘The intention is to encourage public participation and provide a platform to respond to immediate issues within the ambit of the local authority.

‘We have been made aware of the challenges facing parolees and rehabilitated inmates,’ Govender said.

‘They have told us that during their imprisonment, they were afforded many opportunities to obtain skills to begin a new chapter in their lives, but employers don’t trust them enough to offer them jobs.’

Govender also appealed to councillors to be instrumental in facilitating a harmonious reintegration of parolees and rehabilitated inmates into communities and urged society and businesses to be more forgiving.

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