By Tabitha Grace Mukeredzi
Durban University of Technology
ABSTRACT
This study reports on a cross-sectional survey of prison instructors (educators and managers) in
adult education and training centres in five South African prisons. The study attempted to understand their perceptions of what motivates prisoners to pursue further education. The research draws on Vroom’s Expectancy Motivation Theory, which holds that behaviour is a result of deliberate choices from among alternatives in order to maximise pleasure and reduce pain. The semi-structured interviews conducted with ten prison managers and 11 educators revealed instrumentality motivation coupled with expectancy and valency motivation reflected in three major findings: first, that prisoners pursue adult education to improve themselves educationally and prepare for employment after their release; second, that prisoners seek to prevent a relapse into criminal activity and re-imprisonment and to prepare for a crime-free life; and, third, that learning takes their minds off their incarceration and kills time. These findings have direct implications for policy and practice as they suggest a need to support the fight against recidivism.
https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/ejc-jovacet_v4_n1_a7