EXAMINING THE ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING IN E-LEARNING DISTANCE MODE BY PRISONERS
EXAMINING THE ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING IN E-LEARNING DISTANCE MODE BY PRISONERS

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the study was to examine the advantages of studying in e-learning distance mode by prisoners. This article reports about one question from a study titled: “The Supervision of Postgraduate Students Studying at a Distance Through E-Learning While in Custody”. The paper's central claim is that, despite their severe living conditions, inmates who are committed to their education cannot have their education impeded by prison walls. This research was carried out in a prison in Namibia. This study was qualitative in nature, utilizing interviews as a means of data collecting while adhering to an interpretive paradigm. Twelve participant prisoners were interviewed and the criteria for sampling them was that they were studying through a distance e-learning mode while incarcerated. During the transcription of the interviews two of the tape-recorded recordings were not audible and they were excluded when capturing the findings. A skilled transcriber transcribed the taperecorded interviews verbatim, and the author was provided the notes to interpret. The analysis was conducted thematically. With relation to prison services, Namibia's legal system saw significant transformations as it moved from an approach centered on punishment and isolation to one that emphasizes corrections and community reintegration. The government of the Republic of Namibia has demonstrated a strong commitment to the rehabilitation of inmates by permitting them to enroll in distance education programs via e-learning, according to the findings. Imprisonment presents prisoners with increased opportunities for self-improvement. However, studying while incarcerated, especially remotely, is exceedingly challenging for prisoners.

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