Issued by: Portfolio Committee on Correctional Service
MEDIA STATEMENT
(Issued by Carl Niehaus, MP, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Service (National Assembly))
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AMENDMENT BILL (B 9 - 96)
It is hereby notified for general information that the Correctional Services Amendment Bill (B 9 - 96), introduced by Mr Carl Niehaus as a Private Member's Bill, was submitted to Parliament and referred to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services (National Assembly) for inquiry and report.
Last year the Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Sipho Mzimela, tabled an amendment to Section 29 of the Correctional Services Act of 1959, to the effect that children should not be incarcerated in prison or police cells. Very strictly controlled provisions were provided for, under which children could be sent by a magistrate or judge, to be kept in a cell for a period not longer than 24 hours. The aim of this amendment was to ensure that children who are awaiting trial will either be released into the care of their families, or be sent to places of safety. The amendment was unanimously supported by both Houses of Parliament.
Since then however, problems have been experienced with the implementation of the amended Section 29 due to a lack of adequate secure care facilities. Children continue to escape or, because of overcrowding, are released effectively onto the streets where they may commit further crimes.
Therefore the Private Member's Bill is introduced to amend the Correctional Services Act of 1959, so as to make provision for certain extraordinary interim measures in, respect of the detention of unconvicted young persons accused of having committed certain serious offences.
The Portfolio Committee invites all persons and institutions who wish to comment on the subject of this Bill to submit representations in writing to the Committee before 20 February 1996 (if possible 40 copies should be provided). If any person or institution wishes to give oral evidence to the Committee in respect of such written representations, such a request must be directed to the Committee before 20 February 1996. It must be borne in mind that the Committee reserves the right of affording persons and institutions the opportunity of appearing before it.
All correspondence in this regard should be addressed to:
The Secretary to Parliament, Attention of Simone Ingerfeld, P O Box 15, Cape Town, 8000 Tel: (021) 403 3672, Fax: (021) 461 7969.