They already have their own radio station, computer learning center, and self-sustaining chicken farm and today inmates at the Belize Central Prison, the privately managed version of what used to be called the 'Hattieville Prison,' got their own school building. That's right, today the Kolbe Foundation, which manages the prison, officially inaugurated a new 9 room school building in the maximum security area of the prison. Keith Swift reports on the changing face of the prison.

Keith Swift Reporting, [Email - keithkswift@gmail.com]
These are the new poster boys for rehabilitation at the Central Prison. They are maximum and medium security inmates who are considered society's most dangerous convicts but they now some spend their time solving math problems. There are also other inmates use their hands to make these hammocks and paper crafts. And then here is one inmate you might remember: convicted quadruple murderer Leslie Pipersburgh who went from death row to head librarian.

Leslie Pipersburgh, Death Row Inmate/Head Librarian
"I am the head librarian. So far Judith Myvette from the National Library Service came to teach us how to label books and put them in order and so forth."

Keith Swift,
Is this what you expected prison life to be like? Did you expect to come back here and become a head librarian?

Leslie Pipersburgh,
"Well this is not really me, I am just changing over and do some new things in my life. It is like promoting yourself because nobody else will promote you."

Pipersburgh along with these other inmates are able to "promote themselves" by working in this vocational building located in the maximum security section of the prison. The ribbon to the building was officially cut this morning by its benefactors the Wagners, a couple from Wisconsin. Speaking at the opening, Kolbe Foundation CEO Marlon Skeen said rehabilitation is paramount at the jail.

Marlon Skeen, CEO - Kolbe Foundation
"Rehabilitation is the primary focus of Kolbe. Our aim is a secure and humane facility geared towards meaningful rehabilitation and we never lose focus of that. It is a joint focus between us and the inmates, primary because we use the inmates themselves to do most of the rehabilitation work. Of all the teachers that we have here, the majority of the teachers are inmates who come with certain educational and academic levels, backgrounds, and we use them to pass on that knowledge to other inmates."

David Thompson is the head of rehabilitation programs at the Central Prison. He says the new building is set-up like a school. There are 6 classrooms, all furnished with desk, chairs, blackboards, there is a computer lab with 10 workstations; the library; and the arts and craft room. About 50% of the max/medium inmates are enrolled and Thompson says they are schooled in all the basics.

David Thompson, Dir. of Rehabilitation
"It will be used for basic literacy; teaching reading and writing. There is also a room further down for arts; paper arts, carvings, etc. The rooms also function as group counseling rooms for emotions counseling, anonymous counseling, Bible study programs; basically for school purposes, as comprehensive as possible. We're trying to make it as comprehensive a school as possible offering a wide curriculum: from basic literacy to vocational and technical training and computer classes."

And though they won't leave these classes with a degree, though CXCs are in the pipeline, Education Minister Francis Fonseca says the inmates are a captive audience and it doesn't hurt to try:

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"When they just sit in here: they learn no skills, they get no opportunity to improve their own life and their own education, they go back into society and commit crimes again. That has not worked. To just throw them into cells and lock the door and forget about them has not worked. We're not guaranteeing that provided with the right skills and attitudes an education will work for all of them but certainly we're very hopeful that it will work for some of them. The society really wants us to deal harshly with criminals but at the same time I think people recognize and appreciate the importance of us trying to improve the lives of these young men when they are in this facility."

But when does improvement go too far? Is this the prison life we want children to be seeing? Well Leslie Pipersburgh says don't get it twisted, the library job and all that is good but prison is still bad. He says he is simply trying to make the best of his situation.

Leslie Pipersburgh,
"Right now the teachings and everything free so we are just making use of it and it is better than just kicking in your cell and not learning anything. It is better to come out of your cell, get occupied, and start to learn something."

Keith Swift,
What would you say to people who might be thinking and seeing Leslie Pipersburgh and say that you like you are having a good time? Would you advise them to come join at the back here?

Leslie Pipersburgh,
"Well for sure I wouldn't give nobody advice to come to prison because they can learn these same things out there. I might look like I am happy and thing but surely I am not enjoying myself in prison; I am just making the best use of it and try keep joyful and not stressed out and miserable."

Making the best use of their time in jail that is what Pipersburgh and other prisoners are doing. And now administrators can only hope they will make the best use of these skills when they get out.

There are 138 inmates involved in the educational and training programs, that is just over 13% of the entire population. This morning a vocational house at the Wagner Youth Facility was also opened. It hasn't been fully furnished yet but the facility will have 4 classrooms for masonry, plumbing, arts, and tailoring. The Kolbe Foundation also announced that they are constructing a new visitor center.