Parolees making a difference in their communities

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A programme with the dual aim of helping offenders on parole or probation integrate back into their communities, and giving them an opportunity to make a difference in their communities, was launched over the past weekend.

Bitou Speaker Claude Terblanche said the programme is aimed at the New Horizons community in Plettenberg Bay and is a partnership between the municipality, the Department of Correctional Services and the parole board.

"Today we started the first of many programmes to make a difference in the community of New Horizons. We will identify projects on a monthly basis," Terblanche said on Sunday 23 March.

The offenders all serve the remainder of their sentences outside of a correctional centre, based on specific conditions. "This also gives the offender the opportunity to reintegrate into the community while under supervision."

The crèche's garden got some TLC.

The first programme was a clean-up of the Theodora Crèche in New Horizons, where parolees mowed grass, did gardening and gave the crèche a general clean-up.

"It was an honour listening to our parolees and the difference they want to make and correct their past mistakes and work towards a better and brighter future," said Terblanche.

"As a councillor starting off this journey with them, we must open our hearts and help our parolees become better and help them towards making that difference."

At Theodora Crèche in New Horizons, the parolees and offenders on probation cut the grass.