Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize of Correctional Services will, on Friday 11 December at 09h00, roll-out the Imbeleko project in the Free State/Northern Cape region, at the Kroonstad Female Correctional Centre. This will be the fifth roll-out, after which, only one of the six regions remain, the Gauteng region.
There are 304 women offenders in the Free State/Northern Cape region. Of these, 11 are with their babies in three correctional centres eight in Kroonstad, two in Colesberg and one in Kimberly. The youngest child is three months old.
The roll-out will create an opportunity for the Departments of Correctional Services and Social Development to prepare the family of one of the incarcerated mothers for the release of her 23 months old baby.
As part of the launch, Deputy Minister Mkhize, joined by the MEC for Social Development in the Free State, Ms Ntombela, as well as religious and traditional leaders, will interact with women inmates and their babies and also inspect the cells where mothers are kept with babies. She will use the occasion also to look at problems faced by incarcerated mothers.
Imbeleko is a Correctional Services project seeking to promote the best interest of the child. It focuses on creating a humane and child-centred environment for babies behind bars with their incarcerated mothers; and aims to extend human rights to children and mothers.
Religious leaders from the region strongly support the initiative and will deliver a message of support at this launch. Improving the lives of incarcerated mothers and their babies will help in reducing levels of crime in the country. Taking care of the needs of the children will ensure their optimal development and protect their rights.
Media is invited to attend and will also take part in the tour of the correctional facilities.
Date: Friday, 11 December 2009
Venue: Kroonstad Female Correctional Centre
Time: 09h00
RSVP and enquiries:
David Hlabane
Cell: 082 052 3499
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
10 December 2009
