Prince Albert in South Africa has the smallest prison in the country, with only 72 inmates. The town has an employment rate of 20%, which may contribute to its high crime rate.
A prisoner, known as Koslensus, who is serving a sentence for murder, stated: "The facilities here are not so good. You must keep yourself busy, then the day is walking fast." Koslensus is due to be released next year and hopes to find a job at one of the local dairy farms after his release.
Another prisoner, Ethel Peters, who was imprisoned for housebreaking and theft, has served a five-year sentence. Peters said: "Life outside is different from life here inside. You are disconnected from the outside life. My people come here and tell me how life is outside. I know I missed a lot out since I'm here now."
Peters also expressed concern about his child, saying: "I have one child, a son, now he suffers without me. I must make up with him,"
Kenneth Philander, the prison's warden for 21 years, aims to change the lives of as many criminals as possible, making them renounce their life of crime. Philander stated: "Maybe in a certain way I help these guys inside. Maybe it's that one guy, maybe to not relapse." He believes the high crime rate is due to the crushing poverty surrounding Prince Albert.
The recovered account cited reporting by Tuko.
