23 February, 2012’Lockdown’ – produced byHazel Friedman
In 2009 Special Assignment broadcast ‘Pollsmoor’s Got Talent!’- an investigation into Prison Broadcast Network (PBN) – an innovative rehabilitation programme that trains offenders in radio and television production. Founded by Marius Boaden 14 years ago, PBN has become internationally recognised as the only non-profit organisation in the world that has bridged the technological/digital divide and produced programmes BY offenders FOR offenders.
At no expense to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), it has succeeded in fulfilling the vision and mission of the White Paper on Corrections to transform prisons from places of punishment to facilities for rehabilitation. Not only has it assisted with the creative healing of incarcerated offenders; it has also provided opportunities for students to pursue careers in either film, television or related fields after their release, thereby reducing the risk of re-offending. Yet despite these achievements PBN has been unceremoniously shut down.
Thursday night 9pm on SABC 3
This follow-up will revisit the history of PBN, its evolution from a single CD-Player hooked up to the prison intercom system to the only organization in the world to house a radio station, sound studio and television studio in a Correctional Centre. We will also follow the journeys of two successful graduates of the programme as they attempt to be re-integrated into society and implement their skills acquired through PBN training in the professional world.
So why has a non-profit initiative specifically aimed at the rehabilitation of offenders – at no cost to Correctional Services – been “locked down”? Does this action suggest that while Correctional Services might talk the rehabilitation walk, the department does not really believe in the efficacy or sustainability of rehabilitation programmes? Or is there a more sinister agenda behind the shut down?
For more information:Special Assignment office: (011) 714-6757/8ProductionCoordinator: Menatalie Van Rooyen – 083 241 7670Acting Executive Producer: Busisiwe Ntuli – 083 346 7291
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