Correctional Services Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize will, Monday, October 12 at 09h00, address the All Africa Conference of the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC), at the Schoenstatt Training Centre, in Constantia, Cape Town.
The Deputy Minister will speak on the link of pastoral care to the broader aspects of rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders. The Department of Correctional Services places a high premium on rehabilitation and human rights. This is a marked departure from the previous practice of locking up offenders without creating development opportunities or correcting offending behaviour.
Correctional Services believes humane rehabilitation programmes will help combat re-offending by changing the mindset of offenders and thus contributing to the reduction of crime.
"We are convinced like the ICCPPC that offering the best support to offenders goes a long way in saving our communities from the spell of crime and lawlessness," Deputy Minister Mkhize said.
"Pastoral care in this regard is fundamental to the rehabilitation of those in conflict with the law."
Speakers sharing the podium with Deputy Minister Mkhize will include the Inspecting Judge of Correctional Services, Judge DH Van Zyl, and the ICCPPC President, Dr Christian Kuhn.
The All Africa Conference will be hosted by the South African Catholic Bishops Conference. According to the organisers, around 39 foreign delegates from other African countries and Europe have confirmed attendance.
Enquiries:
David Hlabane
Cell: 082 052 3499
Renay Ogle
Cell: 079 700 9397
Ofentse Morwane
Cell: 079 501 0272
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
8 October 2009
Source: Department of Correctional Services (http://www.dcs.gov.za/)
