South African prisoners can use computers in their cells for studies, thanks to a recent Constitutional Court ruling. The court found the old Correctional Services policy unfair, saying it violated inmates' right to education. Officials must create new rules within a year, but students can use laptops in cells right away.
The case began when prisoner Sidney Ntuli challenged the laptop ban in 2018. Ntuli argued he had little time to use shared computer rooms because he stays locked up most of the day. The room opens just a few hours daily, he said.
The court made clear this ruling applies only to education purposes. Prison staff can check these computers anytime. If prisoners break the rules, they might lose computer rights. All laptops must lack modems to prevent internet access.
The court decided the case in September 2019. It said the old rules treated Ntuli unfairly. The judges agreed that the ban stopped prisoners from learning, which goes against what the Constitution says.
The case began when prisoner Sidney Ntuli challenged the laptop ban in 2018. Ntuli argued he had little time to use shared computer rooms because he stays locked up most of the day. The room opens just a few hours daily, he said.
The court made clear this ruling applies only to education purposes. Prison staff can check these computers anytime. If prisoners break the rules, they might lose computer rights. All laptops must lack modems to prevent internet access.
The court decided the case in September 2019. It said the old rules treated Ntuli unfairly. The judges agreed that the ban stopped prisoners from learning, which goes against what the Constitution says.
