28 March 2006
The leadership of Correctional Services is very concerned about the action
taken by some HIV positive offenders in Durban Westville Correctional Centre.
The Minister has sent a high level delegation led by Chief Deputy Commissioner
for Development and Care Jabu Sishuba, to help end the situation.
The Department has begun with various interventions, which include the
provision of nutritious food supplements, negotiations with departments of
Health and Home Affairs, negotiations to reassure offenders of the Minister's
attention and interventions to resolve the issues. Correctional Services have
in principle understanding with both Home Affairs and Health regarding urgent
provisional interventions to address the current situation at Durban Westville,
while also intensifying efforts aimed at finding medium to long term solutions
to challenges facing the implementation of the comprehensive treatment and care
plan.
Correctional Services wishes to express its dismay at the use of vulnerable
offenders as cannon fodder by various advocacy institutions in a manner that
threatens their wellbeing. The Department appeals to affected offenders to
avoid being used and call off their actions, as the leadership has noted their
concerns and is committed to seek urgent solutions.
It is absolutely critical to reiterate the fact that in terms of government
policy, Correctional Services' centres are not accredited antiretroviral (ARV)
sites, but only facilitate the transportation of offenders to adjacent
accredited sites of the Department of Health.
Enquiries please contact
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
28 March 2006
