The transformative effect of correctional education: A global perspective

The mandate to deliver correctional education to incarcerated individuals emanates from the United Nation Declarations, Conventions and Standards. Consequently, numerous countries worldwide utilize correctional education as a rehabilitation programme to transform offenders into law-abiding and productive citizens upon release. But, there are still miscellaneous debates on the effectiveness of correctional education. High recidivism rates seem to be a global challenge. The assumption is that correctional education may help in reducing crime and recidivism rates. Literature suggests that correctional education changes behaviour, improves self-confidence, reduces recidivism rates and transforms offenders into law-abiding citizens on release. Convergent mixed methods design was adopted to investigate the transformative effect of correctional education. This study was conducted to former incarcerated individuals who attended correctional education programmes during incarceration period in South Africa. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were utilized as data collection instruments. Quantitative and qualitative data were given equal status in the research field. Quantitative findings demonstrate with an overwhelming majority that correctional education transforms offenders. Qualitative findings confirm that correctional education changes behaviour, boosts self-confidence and transforms offenders into law-abiding and productive citizens. Based on these findings, this study concludes that correctional education transforms offenders since it boosts self-esteem and confidence, revives humanity, improves literacy levels, equips with skills and transforms offenders into law-abiding and productive citizens on release. This study recommends increased implementation of vocational education programmes. This aspect may help in reducing crime, recidivism rates, poverty and inequality. Equally, this study recommends international research on the effect of correctional education on recidivism rates.