SCA ruling allowing prisoners to use laptops in cells welcomed
Lawyers for Human Rights have welcomed a ruling allowing prisoners to use their laptops in their cells.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Appeal confirmed a Gauteng High Court ruling that found the Department of Correctional Services policy, which allows inmates to only use their laptops in designated areas and at specific times, infringes on their rights to further their education.
Malenhle Ntuli, a prisoner at the Johannesburg Medium C Correctional Centre, went to court to challenge the policy.
The Correctional Services Commissioner and the Minister of Justice appealed the ruling.
Nabeelah Mia of Lawyers for Human Rights says the judgment means any incarcerated student will now be allowed to use laptops, provided they produce proof of registration at a tertiary institution.
Mia says the Department of Correctional Services has been given 12 months to change its policies prohibiting incarcerated students from using laptops in their cells.
"In the interim period, it allows our clients and any registered students to have access to a laptop in their cell without a modem.
"Lawyers for Human Rights receives a number of requests from students who are incarcerated and do not have access to their reading materials or their electronic materials to assist them in getting access to this, which is where our interest in this matter also arises."
