Nicro aims to implement Non-Custodial Sentencing nationally

Mluleki Mrwebi
21 August 2013

Dr Richard Griggs
 

The National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Re-integration of Offenders today held a breakfast briefing on Non-Custodial Sentencing.

Nicro believes this programme will help to ease the burden of correctional centres are faced with in this country.

This programme aims to sentence offenders of non violent crimes to community work under supervision.

Nicro Project Manager Regan Jules-Macquet said correctional services Centres are trying their best they could under the circumstances with limited resources.

Jules-Macquet added that the Non-Custodial Sentencing needs all communities to work together for the benefit of offenders to ensure that they do not commit the same crimes after they have served their sentences.

Meanwhile Partner Group an organisation that encourages partnerships has conducted a study which found that conditions at South African prisons are not good at all.

Partners Doctor Richard Griggs who did the research found that offenders of non violent crimes become more violent after coming out of prison.

Griggs said there is a shortage of Psychiatrists in the country that work with prisoners to ensure that their needs are attended to.

He added that the research also found out that Magistrates do not opt for the non-custodial sentencing when hading sentences to offenders.