Easy access to a good education should be available to prisoners despite their criminal status. This is because the option of further education not only gives prisoners something constructive to do with their time in jail but also prevents them of learnin

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Imagine yourself an extremely academic student, working in an office until you have saved enough money to support yourself through university. You plan to become an exceptionally well-qualified accountant and live in a large house by the beach. One morning before work you find yourself receiving an unexpected visit from the federal police. They inform you that the new car you just bought, from a private sale advertised in the Bulletin classifieds, was actually stolen six months ago. Your heart begins to race as you prepare yourself for the shocking news, which is yet to come. The police notify you of your charges and suggest you employ a lawyer to present your case in court. After your hearing you find yourself with a five-year imprisonment sentence and see very little chance of your future dreams becoming a reality. You fight for your right to further your education through tertiary study, however you are told there is a very limited possibility of being granted this opportunity.

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Criminal access to tertiary study is extremely limited and difficult to claim. This is due to the societal belief that criminals should not be rewarded for an act against humanity. Many prisoners admit they have learnt their lesson and look towards their future as a life without crime. However, these criminals have great difficulty in supporting themselves once out of prison and consequently re-offend and find themselves back behind bars. If the complexity of these prisoners being granted tertiary studies continues, criminals will persist in recommitting and will consequently become a larger burden to society.

Many criminals, once ...

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