In August 2000 the Department of Correctional Services (from now on referred to as the Department) held the first national symposium to translate its vision--which is to render services that contribute to community protection and the rehabilitation of offenders--into a meaningful partnership with the South African community. Correctional services in many countries face the challenge of balancing resources with the need to provide effective rehabilitation. Education is widely acknowledged as a key component of this rehabilitation. In the light of such developments, it is appropriate to ask what is known about the role of education in the rehabilitation of offenders. The purpose of this article is to determine the impact of education as a catalyst for behavioural change in enhancing rehabilitation efforts and preventing future criminal activity. The article will benefit educators in that they will know how and where they could become involved. This article will also add knowledge and an understanding of the impact of correctional education on crime and crime prevention.