Townsend sues prison officers over suspension of online education
The Windhoek High Court has postponed an urgent application filed by US citizen inmate Kevan Townsend, who is serving a long-term sentence at the Windhoek Correctional Facility, after he challenged the alleged abrupt termination of 15 of his online courses.
High Court judge Nate Ndauendapo on Wednesday postponed the case to 11 November for a status hearing to allow both parties to finalise and sign a settlement agreement.
According to court documents, Townsend lodged the urgent application after Senior Superintendent Elisia Haiduwa (listed as the first respondent), the head of educational services at the prison, terminated his access to online education without prior notice or an opportunity to be heard.
Townsend says that in 2024, the then officer-in-charge, Deputy Commissioner Veikko Armas, allowed him to pursue tertiary studies at his own expense via online platforms. He was permitted to use a laptop kept at the correctional education lab.
“I registered for 15 online courses through Alison Institute and Coursera, including several specialisations, which provide certificates and diplomas with the potential to lead to full degree qualifications," the court documents read.
"These courses are designed to develop specific skills over a short period, allowing me to advance my education despite my incarceration,” he added.
Alison and Coursera offer short, skills-based and self-paced courses in areas such as business, communication and information technology.
Violation of rights
Townsend, who is serving a 29-year sentence alongside Marcus Thomas, describes the termination of his online studies as “done arbitrarily, without prior notice, consultation or the opportunity to be heard”.
He further claims that the decision was unreasonable, discriminatory and contrary to Article 20 of the Namibian Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to education.
“I have invested significant time and effort into 15 active online courses and several specialisations. This is a setback to my personal development and rehabilitation goals.”
Townsend also argues that correctional authorities failed to provide written reasons for the decision and that they violate the principles of fair and reasonable administrative justice under Article 18 of the Constitution.
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High Court judge Nate Ndauendapo on Wednesday postponed the case to 11 November for a status hearing to allow both parties to finalise and sign a settlement agreement.
According to court documents, Townsend lodged the urgent application after Senior Superintendent Elisia Haiduwa (listed as the first respondent), the head of educational services at the prison, terminated his access to online education without prior notice or an opportunity to be heard.
Townsend says that in 2024, the then officer-in-charge, Deputy Commissioner Veikko Armas, allowed him to pursue tertiary studies at his own expense via online platforms. He was permitted to use a laptop kept at the correctional education lab.
“I registered for 15 online courses through Alison Institute and Coursera, including several specialisations, which provide certificates and diplomas with the potential to lead to full degree qualifications," the court documents read.
"These courses are designed to develop specific skills over a short period, allowing me to advance my education despite my incarceration,” he added.
Alison and Coursera offer short, skills-based and self-paced courses in areas such as business, communication and information technology.
Violation of rights
Townsend, who is serving a 29-year sentence alongside Marcus Thomas, describes the termination of his online studies as “done arbitrarily, without prior notice, consultation or the opportunity to be heard”.
He further claims that the decision was unreasonable, discriminatory and contrary to Article 20 of the Namibian Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to education.
“I have invested significant time and effort into 15 active online courses and several specialisations. This is a setback to my personal development and rehabilitation goals.”
Townsend also argues that correctional authorities failed to provide written reasons for the decision and that they violate the principles of fair and reasonable administrative justice under Article 18 of the Constitution.
[email protected]
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