8 February 1999 Introduction
The Department of Correctional Services, like most other State departments, had a trying, but challenging 1998. Although we made some very positive inroads in taking the South African Correctional System into the next millennium, we also had our fair share of problems and setbacks.
Vision
Our vision is to be an excellent correctional service in the interest of the community and those that are entrusted to our care.
Mission
To render a correctional service in order to contribute to community protection, stability and development.
General Statistics
No of sentenced adult prisoners - 65 716 No of adults awaiting trial - 39 777 No of sentenced female prisoners - 2 183 No of unsentenced female prisoners - 1 224 No of sentenced juveniles - 24 258 No of unsentenced juveniles - 13 120 Total - 146 278
Approved accommodation available in prisons - 99 294 No of staff members in Correctional Services - 31 000 National allocated budget for Correctional Services - R4.3 billion No of prisons country wide - 235 prisons
New Correctional Services Act (Act 111 of 1998)
The previous Correctional Services Act (Act 8 of 1959) has been replaced by the new Correctional Services Act (Act 111 of 1998). The President has signed the relevant new act and on 27 November 1998 it was published in the Government Gazette for general information.
The department is at present busy bringing the new act into operation in different stages, depending on infra structure, availability of funds an adequate trained staff members. The provisions in the act pertaining to the Judicial Inspectorate, the National Advisory Council on Correctional Services, the Independent Prison Visitors, Internal Service Evaluation and Joint Venture Prisons, are some of the first matters which will soon be enacted through proclamation in the Gazette on dates fixed by the President.
The new {Correctional Services Act has brought our Correctional Services legislation in line with international standards and has laid a solid foundation for the future It is a radical departure from the discriminatory system which we inherited from the past. It furthermore ensures that we are on par with the SA Constitution and our new legal framework can make South Africa proud of its correctional system.
New privilege system for prisoners
The new privileged system for prisoners, which was introduced late last year, is directly related to the rights and obligation of offenders as defined in our new act. We in the Department of Correctional Services have embarked on a "Back to Basics"- approach in our prisons.
This approach first of all means that prisoners should be afforded those rights and privileges, which they are legally entitled to. However, these rights and privileges should also be of such a nature and should be applied in such a manner, that it does not negate or undermine the ultimate aim of imprisonment as a deterrent To balance the rights of prisoners on the one hand with the objectives of, imprisonment as a deterrent on the other hand, is not always an easy task. In this process we had to take away more and give less.
It was however imperative and we are of the opinion that the present situation is much more balanced and acceptable than the previous dispensation.
We are indeed back to basics in all our prisons and although we will never allow our prisons to become institutions of punishment, prisons are to remain places where convicted criminals do not enjoy more comfort and privileges than our ordinary citizens do.
Overcrowding in prisons
Overcrowding and lack of space remain one of the most pressing challenges the DCS has to face. At present, the capacity in our prisons allows for 99 000 prisoners whilst in actual fact, we are already catering for approximately146 000 inmates. The high density of prisoners in most of our institutions inevitably impacts on the behaviour of inmates, it promotes corruption, it has a negative effect on our staff, it hampers the application of rehabilitation and treatment programs, it encourages gangsterism, homosexuality and many other social ills.
The department is therefore actively and progressively engaged in various exercises in order to address this problem. It is indeed unfortunate that prisons have been grossly neglected and under funded during the apartheid era. Our challenge has therefore been to catch up on the backlog created by the previous dispensation. Nine new prisons have been opened since 1994 and another two (Kokstad and Empangeni) will soon be completed. We are surely turning the tide and we are determined to keep on building on our achievements.
Our objectives to invite private operators to become involved in prisons are also on track. Although the process is time consuming and elaborate, we sincerely trust to see some concrete developments in this field during the course of 1999. We regard our anticipated partnership with the private sector as one of the most promising developments in the correctional, system since 1994. The department is furthermore of the opinion that various other short-term measures can be taken to alleviate the severe problem of overcrowding.
Categories of prisoners which we have in mind and which we feel can maybe dealt with alternatively, are prisoners who cannot afford fines and bail amounts of R200.00 and less, as well as certain persons awaiting trial.
I have to approach Cabinet with certain suggestions in this regard and therefore I do not wish to elaborate on the matter at this occasion. Once a final decision has been taken, I will make a public statement with the relevant particulars. Involvement in the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS)
The DCS has always been a committed and important partner in the Criminal Justice System. Although we are not the main role players in Government's war on crime, we are proud of our contributions and our associations.
The establishment of the Integrated Justice System (IJS) aims to bring the different partners in the Criminal Justice System together and we are very encouraged by the positive results of this approach. Our safety, security and judicial establishments are becoming more united each day and the DCS will remain a committed partner.
Through our participation in the NCPS and IJS we have for instance been able to affect major developments in the correctional system. The following are practical examples of very successful projects launched through our involvement in the NCPS and IJS.
Electric fences have been erected and are still in the process of being erected at most major prison institutions. This has greatly enhanced security at prisons and drastically brought down escapes.
Secondly, the electronic; monitoring of offenders who are on probation or parole, are in the process of being finalised and start up funds for this have already been committed. The electronic monitoring of offenders will ensure much better supervision of offenders serving their sentences in their communities. The safety of our citizens and communities are of paramount importance, even to us in Correctional Services.
We will therefore ensure that criminals remain behind bars and that probationers are properly and constantly monitored.
Progress with electronic monitoring of offenders
The introduction of electronic monitoring of offenders in South Africa will most probably become a reality during the course of 1999. Research and planning are already in an advance stage and the first pilot project has been successfully conducted in the Gauteng area. In contrast to the period before 1994, correctional officials have been able to travel overseas and electronic monitoring has also been studied abroad. International exposure is but one of the many advantages we have been benefiting from since we are living under a democratic government.
Specifications for electronic monitoring are being finalised, start up funds have been secured and once the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services and Cabinet have given the department the final go-ahead, the tendering process will be taken forward as a matter of urgency.
We envisaged starting the first phase of the project with approximately 10 000 offenders who have committed less serious crimes. Electronic monitoring will be a cost saver for the State, as it will alleviate the pressure on appointing more and more staff and also in terms of creating more and more costly prison structures.
Independent Judicial Inspectorate
The Office of the Independent Inspecting Judge under the able leadership of the honourable Judge Trengove, has since its inception, made considerable progress in the establishment of infra structure, the appointment and training of staff and Inspectors as well as the drafting of an lnspection Manual to provide a uniform guideline with regard to the inspection and treatment of prisoners. The Office of the Inspecting Judge is furthermore busy conducting negotiations with the United Nations Human Rights Commission with a view to secure training assistance for the various Inspectors and Prison Visitors.
The appointment of Prison Visitors to each of the 235 existing prisons countrywide is furthermore well under way. It is expected that all the relevant appointments will be finalised by the end of this year, with due cognisance of appointments procedures to be followed and budgetary restraints. The humane treatment of all people, even those in prisons, is important in any democracy. The Judicial Inspectorate is one o, Correctional Service's contributions towards establishing a firm democracy and a culture of human rights in prisons.
New National Advisory Council on Correctional Services
The National Advisory Council on Correctional Services (NACOCS) is a statutory body established to advise the Minister on all aspects regarding corrections. The term of office of the previous Council expired at the end of 1998 and I am in the process of appointing a new National Advisory Council. The honourable Judge Kumleben, the Chairperson of the previous Council and his team have been rendering a valuable service to the department. I am however of the opinion that the composition, expertise and experience of the Council members are of such a nature that they could make a much bigger impact in the correctional field. Once Cabinet has endorsed the appointment of the new Council, I intend to make much wider use of their expertise and knowledge.
Appointment of Amnesty Committee
The granting of special remission of sentence (amnesty) to all sentenced prisoners on 18 July 1998 and the public responses it solicited, prompted me to announce shortly afterwards in Parliament that I intend to appoint a committee to thoroughly study the practice, application, departmental procedures and consultation processes of granting special remission of sentence to prisoners. The National Advisory Council on Correctional Services has already been tasked with this responsibility and I have also requested them to consult with the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on this sensitive issue. I hope to receive their recommendations soon.
Escapes
During the period 1993 up to 1997, the Department of Correctional Services was experiencing serious problems with escapes from prisons. An escape rate of 1200 per year during these times was not uncommon.
This unacceptable situation has now changed and during 1998, we only had 497 escapes. However, I wish to stress that our aim is a zero escape rate and we will maintain a zero tolerance approach until we have achieved this objective. Staff members have become very alert to the possibility of escapes and members who were found to be negligent in this regard were severely dealt with by means of disciplinary actions and criminal charges.
Prisoners who escaped were similarly dealt with and measures such as transfers to the C-Max prison, disqualification for parole, the forfeiting of certain privileges, electric fences at high risk prisons, etc., were a very effective deterrent to discourage prisoners from escaping.
I therefore wish to give the assurance that we find this practice absolutely unacceptable. A meeting has been arranged some time ago between the Provincial Management in KwaZulu Natal in order to address this problem once and for all. This meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning in New Castle and the Commissioner and his Chief Deputy Commissioners from our Head Office, will accompany me.
Our country cannot be held ransom by unruly or-even criminal elements in our system and I will not rest until we have restored stability where it is needed.
Conclusion
It is our firm conviction and believe that the positives in Correctional Services weights much heavier than the negatives. There are so many other matters which we would have liked to address, such as the low cost houses we build for people in Illovo, our programs for people with disabilities, gender issues which we have addressed, the total transformation of our personnel corps and many other high lights. During my budget vote debate I will touch in more detail on these matters.
The Department of Correctional Services is well positioned for the future. We have a very clear mission and we will keep our focus on the goals and objectives, which we have set for ourselves. I am honoured to be part of this department because I believe that we have an important contribution to make in the service of our country and our people. Enquiries
Bert Slabbert
Tel (021) - 4622314