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The Public Servants Association (PSA) has noted with extreme concern recent media reports suggesting that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is unable to fully account for some parolees under its supervision.
 
Whilst the DCS has publicly disputed these reports, the PSA believes that the matter warrants urgent clarification in the interest of public safety and institutional credibility. Parolees, by their very status, remain under the legal custody of the state. Their conditional release is premised on strict compliance with parole conditions, ongoing monitoring, and structured reintegration processes. Any uncertainty regarding the whereabouts or status of parolees raises significant concerns regarding administrative oversight and potential risks posed to communities. History has, on several occasions, demonstrated that parolees who are not effectively monitored may commit further offences whilst on parole. This reinforces the critical importance of robust supervision systems, accurate record-keeping, and real-time accountability mechanisms in the DCS.
 
The PSA calls on the DCS to provide a comprehensive and transparent account of all parolees currently under supervision. The DCS should clarify the extent and nature of any discrepancies reported in the media. It should further outline systems and measures in place to track, monitor, and manage parolees effectively. There should be open engagement with stakeholders, including organised labour, to restore public confidence in correctional oversight processes. Transparency is essential to address public concern and ensure that frontline officials working in the system are supported with accurate information and functional systems.
 
The PSA is committed to advocating for a correctional system that is effective and accountable. The PSA emphasises that correctional officials must be adequately resourced, trained, and supported to perform their duties without undue risk or systemic failure. Any gaps in the management of parolees endanger communities and place additional strain on overburdened public servants tasked with supervision and enforcement responsibilities.
 
The PSA urges the DCS to treat this matter with the necessary seriousness. Clear communication, transparency, and decisive action are required to address public concern and ensure that the correctional system operates with integrity and efficiency. The PSA will continue to monitor developments closely and engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that accountability and public safety remain paramount.

Issued by the Public Servants Association