A Study on the Effectiveness of Vocational Training Programmes for Prisoners in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Prisons Service rehabilitates, and reforms offenders and the vocational training programmes (VTP) help offenders improve their economic and social conditions. VTP aims to reduce incarcerated populations' poor educational achievement and employability. Despite considerable facilities, the impact of VTPs on Sri Lankan prisoners is dubious. Accordingly, the study is aimed to examine the efficiency of VTPs for offenders in Sri Lanka by concentrating on trainers' experiences and perspectives. The sample consisted of five trainers who provided VTPs for inmates, using the purposive sampling method, and the data was gathered through structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data of the research. Inmate reactions may reflect learning desires. Participation, willingness, and motivation are evaluated. This study found that inmates were more involved, willing, and motivated to participate in vocational programmes. Attendance, punctuality, and the ability to endure long sessions can be used to evaluate participation. Even though many offenders lacked a fundamental understanding of these procedures, all inmates who participated in the training sessions were able to learn everything fast and readily, as indicated by the items they produced. Prisoners provide mutual respect for their leaders during training sessions, listen to and support them, and vocational training reduces alienation. Effective organisational support for VTPs, positive response from inmates to take the training, creating opportunities for inmates to expand their learning and assisting ex-inmates to find self-employment opportunities, learning and behavioural changes among the inmates, promoting interrelationships among the inmates, providing an effective incentive system for inmates, and cost avoidance in the prison. Findings suggested that the successful implementation of VTPs for offenders is advantageous for inmates, prison administration, and eventually the society.