VOA慢速英语:In Kenyan Prison, Good Grades Are Path to Freedom

Eighteen people in central Kenya are taking the country's secondary education test, called the KCSE. Even under normal conditions, this examination can make a student nervous. But these 18 students may feel especially fearful. They are serving sentences in a top-security prison. And if they do well on the test, they might get to leave the prison.
肯尼亚中部有18人正在参加该国被称为KCSE的中等教育考试。即使在正常情况下，该考试也会让学生感到紧张。但这18个学生可能感到特别担心。他们正在一所戒备森严的监狱服刑。如果他们在这次考试中考得好，他们可能就会出狱。

During the test the inmates sit at school desks at Naivasha Prison. These prisoners have writing tools and plastic devices used in mathematics. The classroom looks like any other except that the students are wearing prison uniforms.
在考试过程中，这些囚犯坐在奈瓦沙监狱的课桌前。这些囚犯有书写工具和数学考试用到的塑料设备。教室看上去并没有什么不同，除了学生们都穿着囚服。

David Noah Okwemba has just finished the examination for history and biology. He says he wants people to know that the prisoners are no longer criminals. Instead, he says they are students.
David Noah Okwemba刚刚完成历史和生物考试。他说，他希望人们知道，囚犯们不再是罪犯，相反他们都是学生。

Prisoners who perform well can have their sentences amended. They may be released early to go to university or find employment.
考得好的囚犯可以修正对他们的判决。他们可能被提前释放以进入大学或就业。

Patrick Mwenda is head officer at Naivasha prison. He says Naivasha works with the high courts to consider the cases of prisoners who get high marks.
Patrick Mwenda是奈瓦沙监狱的最高长官。他说，奈瓦沙监狱同高级法院合作，重审获得高分的囚犯的案件。

Mr. Mwenda says nine prisoners have been released since 2008 as a result of their schooling and tests. So far, the releases have gone only to prisoners sentenced to short terms.
Mwenda先生称，自2008以来，已经有9位囚犯因为其学习和测试成绩而被释放。到目前为止，只有短期刑期的囚犯被释放。

Only one other possibility for freedom exists for those facing life in prison and those who have used up all their legal appeals. Kenya's Power of Mercy committee advises about pardons for prisoners. Officials set up the committee in 2011.
对于那些面临终生监禁以及使用完所有法律上诉机会的囚犯来说，只有另一种机会重获自由。肯尼亚宽恕的力量委员会提供有关赦免囚犯的建议。官员们于2011年成立了该委员会。

Mr. Mwenda admits the difficulties of getting a pardon. But he says the prison urges students with longer sentences to build skills. He says doing this would help them have a good record to show the committee.
Mwenda先生坦言得到赦免很难。但他称，监狱督促刑期较长的学生们学习技能。他说这样做会有助于他们向委员会展示良好成绩。

Inmate Prince Winsor Mosii does not approve of the whole system.
犯人Prince Winsor Mosii不认同这整个体系。

"The Power of Mercy is not actually helpful. It is there, but it is not helping in setting us at liberty (freeing us), even if you have performed."
“宽恕的力量委员会并无实际帮助。它的确存在，但它无助于我们重获自由，即使你表现很好。”

Prince Winsor Mosii took his KCSE exam last year. But he says he does not see much reason to get an education if he is to remain in prison.
Prince Winsor Mosii去年参加了KCSE考试。但他称，如果他一直坐牢，他不知道有什么理由要接受教育。
"It is of no good to get or to acquire something of great value, skills, and not put it into action."
“获得极具价值的技能却无法付诸行动毫无益处。”

More than half of the 3,000 inmates at the Naivasha prison are involved in the school program. The inmates themselves choose the subjects and decide the content of the studies.
奈瓦沙监狱中有超过3000名囚犯，有一半以上参与了这一学校课程。囚犯们自己选择科目并决定学习内容。