Kunar prisoners demand vocational education, training

ASADBAD (Pajhwok): Prisoners held at the central jail in eastern Kunar province say besides teaching how to read and write, the government should provide them with vocational and professional education in order they could support their families after their release.

Government officials say all the prisoners are taught reading and writing and efforts are being made to teach them practical work skills for a new chance in life after their release.

A Pajhwok reporter visited the central jail in Asadabad, the provincial capital, and he was told by the prisoners that they were taught reading and writing and religious education, but they also wanted to be provided with vocational trainings.

Gul Mohammad, who has been in the prison for the last five months, said they attended literacy and religious education classes, but the government should pave the way for their professional education.

The 45-year-old said: "We are taught reading and writing in three classes. All the prisoners cannot attend the classes, the government should increase the number of these classes and should provide us professional education.”

Another prisoner, Jalal, a resident of Asadabad, said he has served six months of his jail term. He also demanded initiation of short term vocational courses for the prisoners.

“We are taught reading and writing for one hour a day.  We are also provided religious education, but we want to learn tailoring, embroidery, carpentry and other skills.”

The jail commander, Farhad Nasimi, said the government was making efforts to provide vocational education to the prisoners, urging aid organizations to help in this regard.

“A teacher appointed by the Education Department teaches prisoners in three classes. Religious education is also provided to prisoners, but the available classes are not enough keeping in view the large number of prisoners.”

He said professional education programs for prisoners were needed and non-governmental organizations should play their role in this connection.

Meanwhile, civil society activists and human rights defenders in Kunar province insisted that the rights of prisoners should be protected and their human dignity fully respected.

Mohammad Raza Zaheer, a professor of languages and literature at Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan University in Kunar, said it was government’s responsibility to provide modern and religious education facilities for prisoners.

“Prison is a correctional center for criminals and prisoners should be provided with education." He said if prisoners received enough training, they would avoid committing crimes again after their release and the education and profession training they received would guarantee their good future.

Civil society activist Muhammad Shoaib Gharwal said Islam and the state laws had given many rights to prisoners and the governments should be committed them. Prisoners should be provided with other facilities besides education like sports and better living conditions, he said.

Writer and journalist Qiyam Khayyam also said prisoners should be provided with religious, modern and professional education for their reintegration into society.

He said people committed crimes due to ignorance and unemployment and a knowledgeable, educated and employed person would never want commit an illegal act.

Amir Hamza, Professional Education director at the Kunar Labor and Social Affairs Department, said it was planned to provide professional education to prisoners in different fields in the next 1402 solar year.

He said professional education programs could play a key role in reforming the thinking of prisoners not to commit crimes again after their release.

Three women are among 150 people currently being held at the Kunar central prison for committing various crimes.

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