Department prioritises curbing overcrowding in prisons

By Kim Saulse
04 March 2010

The Department of Correctional Services has earmarked the alleviation of overcrowded correctional facilities as an objective over the next six months.

Addressing the media at parliament today, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe, said this will be executed through an audit of certain categories of offenders and looking into backlogs in offender reclassification.

Backlogs in the hearing of parole applications by Parole Boards will also be reviewed.

“Our officials, especially Centre Heads ensure effective use of tools immediately available to the department in the form of Bail Protocol to allow for the controlled release of awaiting trial detainees (ATD) with bail of up to R1000 and below,” said Radebe.

Radebe said the successful implementation of this depends on whether or not awaiting trial detainees provide the department with accurate addresses which can be verified and monitored. It is also reliant on the ADT’s adherence to court appearance dates.

“Expediting the conversion of custodial sentences to correctional supervision for sentences of up to 23 months and below, the feasibility of this is dependant on accurate addresses offered by offenders to the department for the Community Corrections branch to be able to monitor parolees properly,” said Radebe.

The Minister also hailed the completion of the New Generation Kimberley Correctional Centre as an aid in their long term objective of managing overcrowding.

The facility will provide 3 000 bed spaces.