Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Adv. Michael Masutha, will address Parole Board Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons from across the country at the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre in Johannesburg tomorrow (Friday, 3 July 2015).
Media is only invited to cover the opening address of the Minister, as the remainder of the meeting is a closed session. Details are as follows:
Date: Friday, 3 July 2015
Venue: Leeuwkop Correctional Centre, Johannesburg
Time: 9h00
We wish to request media attending to please confirm attendance by sending their full name, ID or passport number and mobile number to Logan Maistry at Logan.Maistry1@dcs.gov.za or 083 6444 050.
During his Budget Vote Speech on 20 May 2015, Minister Masutha said: “The current parole dispensation has been in operation for almost a decade. I have deemed it necessary to review the parole system to, among others, strengthen:
- The recruitment and retention of highly skilled professionals to boost the capacity of the Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards (CSPBs) like criminologists and psychologists.
- Victim and community participation and empowerment with a more proactive stance to ensure their involvement in parole hearings.
- Partnerships with institutions of higher learning to assist in developing a scientifically proven risk assessment tool, which is offence specific, to support the decision making processes of parole boards, and Capacity building programmes for CSPBs. These include Unisa and University of Johannesburg.
- Capacity building programmes for CSPBs, and introducing mandatory programmes that cover, among others, interviewing techniques, motivational interviewing skills, restorative justice and victim support services.
“During the 2014/15 financial year, progress was made in advancing victim participation in the parole system in line with the Criminal Procedure and Correctional Services Acts which provide a framework for the consultation of victims of crime in parole considerations. Our commitment is to ensure effective social reintegration with more involvement by victims, families and communities”.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 076 062 2180
E-mail: Manelisi.Wolela@dcs.gov.za
