The Department of Correctional
Services says 17 922 sentenced offenders qualified for the Covid-19 Special
Parole Dispensation.
After President Cyril
Ramaphosa announced a state of disaster on March 15, 2020, the department
developed and implemented a response strategy that entailed prevention,
containment, treatment and recovery. Despite measures put in place, the
department said they continued to be confronted by the strong impossibility of
maintaining social distancing in its facilities due to overcrowding.
Chief Deputy Commissioner for
Community Corrections, Anna Molepo, said in addressing, managing and combating
the spread of the Covid-19 in Correctional Centres, the department recommended
to the president to let out low risk offender on parole or continue their
sentences with community serves.
Initially 19 000 offenders who committed non-violent crimes would benefit, however 17 922 were released
image: shutterstock
By Everngelista Muza
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