Prisoners' Interest in Learning Estonian on the Increase (7)

Published: 09.04.2012 09:45

Photo: Postimees/Scanpix

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The Justice Ministry says the idea to start covering the costs of Estonian studies in prisons has started paying off, with several hundred receiving proficiency certificates each year.

"In 2011, 430 prisoners completed Estonian studies with positive results on various levels, which is 171 more than in 2010," a spokesperson for the ministry told uudised.err.ee.

The ministry said teaching the official language to prisoners is an important part of rehabilitation as it increases the chance of a law-abiding lifestyle in liberty.
 
"About 700 study places are planned for Estonian at various levels. Prisoners gladly take the opportunity to take the Estonian proficiency examination in prison so that when they are released they have better possibilities of finding work," said Priit Talv, spokesperson for the Ministry.

For 2011, standards for study of Estonian in prison were developed, covering curricula at various levels.

A motivated prisoner with no Estonian ability can acquire B2 level in 538 hours, plus independent study.

"By the second half of 2012 we plan to complete Estonian textbooks conforming to Estonain study standards for prisons. An 80-hour textbook is already in use, and 150-hour A2 level materials are about to be completed and a B1 book and workbook as well," said Talv.


Kristopher Rikken

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Comments (7)

  • Mart Mang

    09.04.2012 12:47

    They're learning Estonian so that when they "Stick em up!" the victim doesn't have to say "What?"...

  • avatar

    knut_albers

    09.04.2012 13:34

    Mart, for what all these innuendos here all the time? Robber and murderer do not need to make themselves understandable. They only need to be physically superior to their victim or to have the right tools with them. Obviously, there are still quite a few with a criminal record, who use their time in the stir on thoughts on how to make their future as non offenders. Language skills and the ability to be articulate, are with no doubts helpful for their social rehabilitation.

  • avatar

    auslane

    09.04.2012 16:25

    @Knut - Mart is making what is called, in human terms, a 'joke'. In fact his comment is typical of the Estonian sense of humour, in my experience; it is at once dryly witty and also pithy commentary. Given that a significant number of criminals re-offend, the likelihood of some of them using their new Estonian skills for 'evil' is assured. This does not mean the course should not be offered. Instead, a question should be included on the registration form - "Are you taking this course with the intention of using your improved language skills to aid in commission of crimes?". Most people will answer "No", and then if they go on to commit a crime afterwards they should receive additional punishment for misuse of state funds.

  • avatar

    knut_albers

    09.04.2012 16:54

    Auslane, thanks for clarification. I believe Estonians have a rather dry sense of humour, which I'm guessing not enough people pick up on. But is the recidivism rate of offenders in Estonia actually really so high (aside of sex offenders, which is clear)? I mean, before wo go panicking about offenders learning Estonian, I do believe Estonia has never been less brutal and it is the rising wave of laws and regulations designed to combat offenses, that are likely to lump together minor slights with major offenses (see unpaid tickets for 10km/h above speed limit that may lead to imprisonment in Estonia) and an annual 6 homicides per 100,000 city dwellers of Tallinn in compare to 1.7 homicides per 100,000 in Helsinki, does not really make me feel unsafe here in Estonia or that humorous beings are going to be offended by ex-jailbirds that learned to speak and understand a good command of Estonian, doesn't it? Seriously, this reminds me already to the antibullying movements in different so called Western coutnries "that is already conflating serious cases of gay-bashing and vicious harassment with things like…a kid named Cheese having a tough time in grade school" as Nick Gillespie from Reason TV recently stated.

  • Mart Mang

    09.04.2012 21:32

    I think I'll keep my day job, because my career as a hopeful stand-up comic in Estonia seems to have taken a major hit even before it began. I don't care, my grandchildren think I'm hilarious...

  • avatar

    knut_albers

    10.04.2012 12:46

    Go ahead Mart, my simple opinion should not have a major impact on your comedian career.

  • Keel

    17.04.2012 22:53

    So, what language do the inmates speak that are not proficient in Estonian? Do they offer Estonian based on different languages? If they can teach based on English, I'd be game. Unfortunately, it's rather difficult to get any real prison time in Estonia. Probably takes premeditated murder to get 538 hours of language study time.