the offender vs the society, 23 - 31 March 2006
24 March 2006
In commemoration of the Human Rights Week, the Department of Correctional
Services will from 23 - 31 March 2006 champion panel discussions across the
country, on understanding the human rights of offenders and those of the
broader society, under the theme âSport, Recreation, Arts and Culture is a
right to every citizen of South Africaâ.
The discussions will be hosted by correctional servicesâ regions across the
country and are aimed at sparking public debate to inculcate comprehensive
understanding of the policy context and approach the country is embarking upon
with regards to correcting the offending behaviour and facilitating for
rehabilitation of the offending behaviour in a safe, secure and human
environment, which embraces the human dignity of the offender and also allow
the offender to repent for crimes committed as enshrined in the ideals of the
White Paper on South African Corrections.
For these discussions, provincial and national key role players in the
criminal justice system will deliver their positions in terms of the ideals of
the South African Constitution, the policy imperatives posed by the White Paper
on South African Corrections, the Bill of Rights and other policies and
legislations that guide the manner in which correctional services should be
provided in our country. Participants in the discussions will include
representatives from Safety and Security, Human Rights Commission, Department
of Justice and Constitutional Development, Academia, non-governmental
organisations and Community Based organisations etc. A representation of
offenders from surrounding correctional centres will also be part of the
discussions with the aim of inculcating the culture of promoting respect and
understanding of basic human rights by offenders and the broader society.
The objective behind these discussions includes making the broader society
understand the context in which correctional service is being provided, the
responsibility the offender needs to undertake in line with correction
behaviour and rehabilitation of the offending and also to profile the role
society has to assume in social re-integration of the rehabilitated offender
and the broader societal role in corrections and breaking the cycle of
crime.
It is envisaged that the outcomes and resolutions of the discussions will be
utilised in further shaping policies and legislations on the observation of
basic human rights for the offenders and the society, assist in implementation
of Correctional Services programmes in line with the guiding policies, i.e. the
White Paper.
The discussion sessions will start from 8h00 to 12h00 in the morning and
will be closed off by a variety of sports and recreational activities in
promotion of Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture as a form of
rehabilitation.
For participating and attending the discussions please note the following
information:
Date: 23 March 2006
Venue: Boksburg Correctional Center (Gauteng)
Key Speaker: Minister Balfour
Date: 28 March 2006
Venue: Mdantsane (Eastern Cape)
Key Speaker: Minister Balfour
Date: 29 March 2006
Venue: De Aar (OFS & NC)
Key speaker: Minister Balfour
Date: 30 March 2006
Venue: Barberton (LMN)
Key speaker: Minister Balfour
Date: 31 March 2006
Venue: Poolsmor (Western Cape)
Key speaker: Minister Balfour
Enquiries: Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Tel: (012) 305 8204
Issued by Department of Correctional Services
24 March 2006
Source: Department of Correctional Services (http://www.dcs.gov.za/)
