Judge Siraj Desai praises the signing of memorandum of understanding by Correctional Services and the National Muslim Prison Board of South Africa
The Department of Correctional Services and the National Muslim Prison Board (NMPB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Pretoria today, to improve their working relations while also marking the International Human Rights Day – 10 December 2014.
Leading the departmental delegation at the signing ceremony, Chief Deputy Commissioner James Smalberger said, “the mission of rehabilitating offenders can only succeed if the religious leaders and communities are playing a central role in moral development, in promoting adoption of positive lifestyles and in healing relations harmed by crime.”
Mr Smalberger said the signing of an MOU with the Muslim Prison Board marked a new beginning of more structured relations to advance spiritual development of over 4000 Muslim offenders (2.4%) incarcerated in 243 correctional centres nationally. He said the department has improved its delivery of spiritual care services using 44 Chaplains from different denominations and over 500 part time spiritual workers who are playing a critical role in turning “criminals into law abiding citizens.”
Also addressing the ceremony held in Pretoria, the Chairperson of the National Council of Correctional Services, Judge Siraj Desai, praised the signing of the MoU as a fitting tribute to hundreds of Muslim leaders in South Africa that fought the ban of this religion in South Africa and the apartheid oppression of people. He said the MoU marks the translation of the constitutional principle of Freedom of Religion, a new paradigm enshrined in law after the 1994 democratic elections.
The MoU signed by Correctional Services and the National Muslim Prison Board is the fifth formal agreement for collaboration signed with religious organisations nationally to strengthen their role in correctional centres. In September 2014, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Adv. Michael Masutha, urged spiritual leaders from across the spectrum to step up their engagement in moulding the moral fabric of society and in reducing crime.
The MoU will remain in force for a period of five years starting from today, 10 December 2014.
