On 29 May 2013, during his Budget Speech, Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele pronounced on Electronic Monitoring (EM) particularly for remand detainees, non-custodial sentencing and parolees.
On Monday (11 November 2013), Minister Ndebele will address media and lead a live demonstration of the EM tracking devices as well as a tour of the EM control room.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Monday, 11 November 2013
Venue: DCS Head Office, Poyntons Building, 124 WF Nkomo Street, Tshwane (Pretoria)
Time: 08h30 for 09h00
For security reasons, journalists attending the event must please confirm attendance today (Thursday, 7 November 2013) by sending their full names, ID or passport numbers, media house, mobile number and email address to Tshifhiwa Magadani at Tshifhiwa.Magadani@dcs.gov.za or 012-307 2925/073 936 5405 or Zodwa Mtsweni at Zodwa.Mtsweni@dcs.gov.za or 012-307 8289/072 311 3500.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is responsible for supervising 67 760 offenders under Community Corrections, inclusive of 48 872 parolees.
EM is a system adopted by DCS to monitor parolees, who are being released to communities, by tagging them. This is to enhance public safety, while offenders are being given a second chance to contribute positively in building better communities and reducing criminal activities.
EM provides increased surveillance, control and supervision of offenders, but does not replace personal supervision. The tagged offenders have a 24-hour visibility, and are monitored 24/7, 365 days from the Control Room.
The tag is designed in such a way that any violation is reported automatically to the control room within seven seconds, to enable the responsible correctional official, or police officer, to be dispatched immediately to the area where the violation is occurring.
DCS is working together with all stakeholders to build safer communities, as envisioned by the National Development Plan (NDP).
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
