INSIDEOUT
AU GU ST
2012 issue 6
Cover image by Motebang Masitha
Tarisai Mchuchu-Ratshidi Director Rozerie Bosma General Manager
contents
Kholofelo Mashego Advocacy and Communications Manager Melinda Bechus Post-Release Coordinator
Editorial.............................................................. 2
Nkosinathi Buyana Life Skills Facilitator and Trainer Owen Butler Life Skills Facilitator Thlabanelo Diholo Life Skills Facilitator Vuyokazi Magobiyane Life Skills Facilitator Co-facilitators Ariel Marshall Bushy Ratshidi Chinwe Oriji Fleur Souverein Katie Ullmann Kiran Shriemisier Lizo Mtimkulu Max Rahill Megan Brophy Magazine design Conor Ralphs Meghan Judge Young in Prison 059 – 080 – NPO 41 Community House Salt River Road Salt River, Cape Town Tel: 021 448 5275 Fax: 021 448 3024 info@younginprison.org.za www.younginprison.org.za If you would like to contribute to Young in Prison and its initiatives in ‘promoting the right to positive development’, please donate to: Young in Prison Bank: Nedbank Current Account, Account Number: 1021284556 Salt River Branch
This project is funded by The European Union
Director’s Letter ................................................ 3 Inside Writing.................................................... 4 Warning Signs.................................................... 6 Freedom & Responsibility................................. 8 Life Map............................................................14 Family Tree.......................................................20 Web of life.........................................................24 Siyakhana Photography...................................26 Pen Pals.............................................................28
A project implemented by Young in Prison
This project is supported by Open Society Foundation for South Africa
Editorial : Insideout Magazine issue 6
This year Young in Prison South Africa celebrates 10 years and what better way to show this growth and expansion than through our 6th issues of Inside Out. The content in this issue is work contributed from our participants in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre (female and male section), Goodwood Correctional Centre (male section), Vredilis Child and Youth-Care centre for girls and our Post-release participants. Their stories and art work tell of their own personal journeys towards positive change and put a face to young people who have come in conflict with the law and need second chances. Each of the centres that we work in allows us to develop a different yet valuable relationship with the participants who allow us to be part of their lives and take this often lonely road with them. The art work and writings in this issue only tell a part of the whole story but upon meeting these young men and women one realises that the label of ‘criminal’ does not mirror these groups of young people. Through the life maps we are able to gain a sneak preview into the lives of some of YiP participants and understand how they ended up behind bars. The YiP life-skills programme takes participants on a journey that allows them to reflect on the bad choices that they have made but also see the good that is within them. Through portraits the male participants were able to critically look at negative traits versus positive traits that are important to them. The importance of who we are as individuals is rooted in our families and YiP female participants were able to reflect the importance and role of families in their lives through creating family trees. Providing support and creating an environment in which young people can become agents for change is important and we all need to provide a helping hand. It is not one hand that makes the difference but rather the contribution of several hands that make the difference in bringing positive change. This notion is depicted by the art work contributed by YiP male participants in Goodwood Prison who understand that we are all part of the solution. As society we often label those young people who have come in conflict with the law and hinder them from contributing meaningfully to our communities and society. We turn a blind eye and allow crime to become a means of survival for them. In breaking the cycle of violence and crime YiP offers a post-release programme that gives young people a second chance and become voices of change. This issue shows how the power of photography gives young people a platform to express themselves in a manner that empowers them and pushes them away. Through the new pen pal project kicked off by Chinwe Oriji our post-release participants have the opportunity to share their lives and journey’s with other young people across the world, who have had similar experiences. All this work would definitely not be possible with our amazing team of interns, volunteers, facilitators and especially our participants who open their lives to us daily and choice to become change agents. Through their stories and art work participants ask themselves painful and often hard questions that allow them to take the stand and say they will be the difference even of it means through second chances. The voices of our participants allow you to the faces of hope and change as you take a moment to look into their lives.
Kholofelo Mashego (Advocacy and Communications Manager)
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Y
oung in Prison celebrates ten years of existence this year. When someone or an
organization reaches a milestone such as this, one tends to reflect on the past and the journey that has been taken to get to this celebrated milestone. One of the greatest achievements of Young in Prison is the development and design of its methodology of helping young people change behaviours by teaching them life-skills using creative arts. The results of this methodology have been showcased in our magazine titled ‘Inside-Out’. To some this is just another publication that is typical of non-profit organisations as they seek to prove their success. To Young in Prison, as an organisation and most importantly its participants ‘Inside Out’ is more than a magazine but it is a way of life. It is a philosophy that they declare and strive to live by as they take baby steps towards changing their lives and becoming positive, active and contributing members of society. How does the title ‘Inside Out’ become such a significant part of what the organisation stands for, of which the participants aim to be? The answer is simply found in the contents of the magazine. The magazine showcases not only the artistic abilities of the participants but also the journeys they take in every workshop in changing their attitudes and behaviours. It shows how they are changing from the Inside and practicing it on the outside so that they too can have dignity as young adults and future custodians of our communities. These are young men and women who are taking a stand and not allowing circumstances that are outside of them to continue to define who they are on the inside. Young in Prison works from the ‘inside-out’. As an organisation, we have conceded that we cannot save young people from the terrible chains of poverty, gangsterism, broken families. However, we can assist them to be strong, positive and active decision makers who say NO to being perpetrators of violence and crime. We assist them to be so strong on the inside that whatever external influences are in their surroundings; they will be strong enough to stand their ground. They will say that ‘I know who I am and what my goals are and I will achieve no matter what’. I hope you will enjoy this edition and you will find it educational enough to open your mind in believing that people can change given the opportunity. We will stand together and fight against youth participating in crime by ensuring that they are strong enough individuals on the inside to resist the influences on the outside.
Tarisai Mchuchu-Ratshidi Director, Young in Prison (South Africa)
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Inside Writing : Insideout Magazine issue 6
In side Wr iting
Diary entries have proved to be a healing and reflective method for YiP participants over the years. These writings encourage participants to think beyond the institutions that they are in but think of changes in their personal lives that they would make of they were given the opportunity to be free. These are some writings from female participants.
Bernadett My problem starded when I started usig drugs my foster mother cared a lot for me but after a while she didn’t have time for me. She was not like a mother to me we shared a lot of things we always had a argument but that was after my foster dad died things really changed. I went on for a long time I moved out of the house and went to live on the street. I got myself a boyfriend he also started treating me with no respect and I used to run to my mother. She was always happy to see me I always told her that im finish with the drugs and she always believe me. Its only 2 days train I miss the live of the outside world. When I was pregnant she help me a lot I had a miscarriage and she took me to the doctor also. I always stole from her look where I find myself when I phone she puts the phone back in my ears so I wont to know when I leave how will I win back my mother’s heart. How will she trust me again. Nomviwanana There are things that really affected me and the way I lived, like the lifestyle that I was leading outside the drugs the robberies the life that I lived is not for me because this isn’t who I am, not who I was raised to be, I disappointed my family I really did, I brought nothing but pain upon them. I was part of a gang a very dangerous and feared gang I thought I was cool but I was a fool running around with guns robbing innocent people. Its not the legacy I want to leave behind prison in and prison out just to repeat the cycle, and even in prison I didn’t care I hurt 10 girls in two weeks and that’s not cool, I wanted love, comfort, I wanted someone to care for me ... but now I just want to change my life for the better, I want to get out of this place cause its not for me, I hope God forgives all my sins and put me under his wings.
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Inside Writing : Insideout Magazine issue 6
Allison I miss my mother. But I don’t have a father. I want to make apologies to my family because them too much. And I don’t want no more bad friends- when I get out I want to be a better person. I want to get away from the drugs- work for Young in Prison. Because when I hurt too many people…I don’t want to anymore. I stole from my mother. And I miss my sister’s baby. One time I took a knife and stabbed my cousin in her face. It makes me feel sick when I think about it. Everytime I want something I must have it now. But I want to change. I don’t want to be involved with the same people. I now have clear eyes and I’m going to make a change in my life. Alisha One evening that realy change my life till today years ago I was chilling it out in the car, my brothers car anyway I was in the car and 2 of his friends they were using heroin and when they offered me I didn’t think twice to refuse to use. I was so curious to see what does this drug all about but at the end all it did was pushing me back and forth. This drug got me so high I don’t know whats right or wrong meaning when I shop lift to support my habbit it didn’t at all feel wrong, I started shop lifting so much that I end up here today but I hope and pray to allah/God when I come here out that I change for the better and not for the worst because I have goals and I know I can complete my goals when I come here out I’m going to finish my matric, study on, be much more better mother and be a child to my parents that they always wanted I know I can do it because I believe and have faith in myself. Sabrina I want to work and I will stop being naughty I want to change my life. I want to listen to my mommy and I don’t want to go into shops and take things anymore. I want to change my life. My mommy needs me outside and I need her. If I come out I’m not going to go back to my bad friends. I know God loves me and I love him too. I miss my father, I miss my sister also. And when I come out I want to work I want to be a better girl a better person. I am in love with myself. When I come out I want to work at YIP. I miss my sister’s baby.
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Warning signs : Insideout Magazine issue 6
Warning signs
In this workshop the participants reflected on their past life situations. They expressed themselves by bringing forth all the reasons why they became involved in criminal activities that had lead them to be incarcerated. Did they learn from their mistakes and how do they view themselves when thinking of their past mistakes? And how can they pass a warning to others as prevention and awareness tool. In this workshop they expressed their positive feelings and thoughts by creating light paths to their own road signs. Scelo (cross road) I choose this sign because if I pass the way of my life I have to look left to right. Because danger zone. So I have to change my life so to look to community; school ; church. I want to change my life now. I must take a right way now because my family want me outside. Anything I do I must look any were. Nathaneal (school /children crossing the street). It symbolizes an adult leading a toddler/child across the street. Sometimes I see myself as that adult that does not take orders (ruled in prison) from anyone. I lead and others follow. But when been push that comes to suffer, I found myself as a toddler looking around me for guidance. When a situation is beyond my control I tend to become that toddler. Another reason why I choose this sign, is because myself have a daughter and I would like to one day have a positive influence on her life. Dwayne (two way arrows) I choose this sign because I’m an up and down person today, like this tomorrow .. like that ‌ Winston (Danger ) The reason for this sign is that my life was in danger and due to my surcumstances I did commit crime and I really want to change my life. I have a family that is waiting for me and I hope that the sign will never affect my behaviour and attitude that will bring me back to prison again. Danger is a crime and I will try my best to stay out of crime , I know that I will control my- self due to my current behaviour (positive).
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Warnings signs : Insideout Magazine issue 6
Stephan (speed hump) It was a very long distanced road when I have made a few wrong decisions, in that moment my life took a drastic turn around. And suddenly everything in my environment and circumstances starts to change. My life have been positively liveable when I had a job and sharing life with my child and his mother also my girlfriend, it was good times until that change took place. Because I lost my job and had no income it forced me to steel things and rob other people and eventually we sit without a place to stay but we decided that the mother and the child will go and live with her parents while I then become actively involve with criminal activity. And it leaded me to be incarcerated, ( to prison). But I believe that my life’s journey did not end here and I rise again and achieve my goal be reunited with my family. That’s why I have choose the sign – “speed hump”. Eugene (Stop) The reason why I choose this road sign is because the things that I did which brought me to prison, is the things which I want to put a stop to. And not to go back to, just tom sit still and think what I really want in life by starting with: • To choose my friends • Not to walk in packs • To be successful • To make the correct choices in life. To me this sign mean a lot because if I look in this place where I am , in prison, in the rooms all we talk about is numbers we are in the gangs like: 26s /27s /28s. And if I look in reality this means nothing, because in the outside world this means nothing to us. But in prison we also do classes/programs that helps us not to go back to where we coming from, (criminal) to put a stop to myself and to have confidence in myself, so I want to try and say no to all bad things. Cetero (traffic lights) Red – Stop - Stop with all the wrong things Orange – Realize - Take time to realize who you are. Green – Go - Goals, operating in life is to make different choices Aldrin ( P – for no parking) The reason I choose this sign is: you can’t park your car in a place where this sign stands. Like in my life I can’t own a gun without a licence, I can’t go in a shop and take something without paying, I can’t walk on someone’s property without their permission. Like I can’t take someone’s stuff and they work hard for it.
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Freedom : Insideout Magazine issue 6
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Responsibility : Insideout Magazine issue 6
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Freedom : Insideout Magazine issue 6
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Responsibility : Insideout Magazine issue 6
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Freedom : Insideout Magazine issue 6
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Responsibility : Insideout Magazine issue 6
Life Map : Insideout Magazine issue 6
Life Map
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Life Map : Insideout Magazine issue 6
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Life Map : Insideout Magazine issue 6
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Life Map : Insideout Magazine issue 6
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Life Map : Insideout Magazine issue 6
Life Map : Insideout Magazine issue 6
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Family Tree : Insideout Magazine issue 6
F A M I LY T R E E In this workshop the participants focused on the importance of family. Participants were asked to share what family means for them, and to portray their family in the form of a family tree.
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Family Tree : Insideout Magazine issue 6
This tree represents my family in my house and they are very important to me and we all love each other no matter what even thought they don’t do right. Nikita Lee
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This tree represents the members of my family. I
The family tree of love wite
love them very much they are the first thing on
means they don’t care and I
my mind every morning I wake up. The most
also care they always there
thing I miss about them is love and care they give
for me that is why I love
to me and the family outings. And when it comes
them so much.
to family gatherings Anelisa Mqwazi
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Chanel Hanerkom
This is my tree of my family I love my family its
This is a friend tree and faily they all
very important to me about without my family
care about me and love them very must
am nothing in this world I love them because
I always think about how much love
they show me who I am and where I come
they give me
from.
Roxanne Hendricks
When I look at them they tell me a astory about me and about UBUNTU they are very loving and carring but are not perfect. They are the good people they love each other Nomzamo Ketile
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Web of life : Insideout Magazine issue 6
web of life
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Web of life : Insideout Magazine issue 6
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Pen Pals : Insideout Magazine issue 6
Pen Pals Hey Mabee, It was very nice to hear from you. We have a lot in common. I love music. I think music speaks to the soul. This can be a good thing or a bad thing if you are not careful. I like dramas on TV as well. Its always good to watch really good actors in a drama movie because it makes you think that it is really happening. I also believe in God. I believe His Son Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I believe that He forever paid the debt that I owe for my sins. Without Jesus, I would be lost. I would be doing bad things to good people, and I would not care about what would happen. I thank God everyday for turning my life around. I try everyday to stay positive and keep my focus on Him. As for me, I was born in 1985, on April 1st. I’m not sure if they have this in Capetown, but in America, my birthday is “April Fools” day. This is a day when people always play tricks on each other. For example, someone may come to you and say, “Mabee, come quickly! Your brother fell down and broke his leg!” When you run over to see if your brother is ok, they would say “APRIL FOOLS!” So, the day I was born, my mom had a hard time telling people that I was actually born, because they thought she was trying to trick them. Right now I am in college. I go to Rutgers University and I am studying Exercise Science. I want to go to graduate school and get a PhD in Exercise Science and become a professor at a college. I also want to help people in jail go back to school so they can better their life. I have a lot of goals and dreams, but I won’t tell them all to you now. I live with a friend of mine in Princeton, NJ, and once the school year is over. I will be in a summer program for research. I will stay on campus in an apartment in one of the buildings on campus. So, enough about me. What about you? What do you like to do in your free time? What’s your family like? Do you have any brothers or sisters? Feel free to share whatever you like. I look forward to hearing from you soon Mabee! Best, Walter
e,
Hello Chandr
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