The Status of Prison Education in Selected Correctional Facilities of Western Zambia

This study investigated the status of rehabilitation education in selected correctional facilities of Western Zambia. The study was located within an interpretive qualitative paradigm and used an embedded case study approach built on the premise that reality has multiple layers and is complex. The study involved 43 participants selected through purposive sampling techniques from three correctional institutions in Western Zambia. Data was mainly collected through one-to-one interview. Focus group discussions and observation were also used to triangulate data obtained through one-to-one interviews. The objectives of the study were; to establish the nature of teaching and learning in selected correctional centres; to investigate the learning environment in selected correctional centres, to assess the benefit of correctional education provided in correctional centres to inmates and to find out the challenges faced in the provision of correctional education in selected correctional facilities of Western Zambia. The study observed that learner centred methods were limited, teachers could not apply methods like group discussions due to various factors. The study also revealed that correctional education centres were grossly under resourced in terms of teaching and learning materials. Classroom infrastructure was inadequate and not conducive for learning. The study recommended inter alia that correctional centres should be more receptive to other stakeholders and partner with other organisations in addressing their educational challenges. Additionally, curriculum review should be considered to suit the needs of inmates as most of them were adults.