Interfaith leaders and correctional services have agreed to step up support for the offended and offenders to ease the re-entry of offenders after release from custody.
Addressing a national interfaith seminar, jointly organised by the National Interfaith Council of South Africa (NICSA) and Correctional Services, leaders of various faith groups, NICRO and Correctional Services said a lot needs to be done to strengthen rehabilitation, and social reintegration, of offenders in South Africa. The seminar is the first high level discussion between the council of interfaith leaders and Correctional Services since the establishment of NICSA in 2011.
The seminar was officially opened by the Acting National Commissioner of Correctional Services Mr Zach Modise, at the Kgosi Mampuru II correctional centre in Pretoria this morning. The one day seminar was initiated by NICSA in order to mobilise all players in the interfaith sector to take greater responsibility for correcting offending behavior, rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders.
“It is well-known that the challenge of curbing crime, and reshaping the criminal justice system, is not the sole responsibility of government, but it is also a test of the commitment of the religious sector. Therefore, this interaction today, between Correctional Services and the National Interfaith Council of South Africa (NICSA), is significant”, said Acting National Commissioner Modise.
Commissioner Modise said: “Our community of faith is called to teach right from wrong, respect for life and the law, forgiveness and mercy. Our beliefs about the sanctity of human life, and dignity, must be at the centre of our approach to these issues. We respect humanity, and promote the human dignity of both the offended (victims) and offenders. We believe society must protect its citizens from violence and crime, and hold accountable those who break the law. These same principles lead us to promote rehabilitation, and treatment, for offenders and the offended (victims), for all their lives reflect that same dignity. Both the offended (victims) and perpetrators of crime are children of God.”
Family reunification was described as the cornerstone of sustainable social reintegration of offenders and of building safer communities. The religious leaders said effective rehabilitation, and social reintegration, of offenders is one of the key pillars of crime prevention, and they protect the next victim of crime perpetrated by offenders when released. They appreciated the work done already, but agreed that a lot more needs to be done to strengthen the criminal justice system and reduce high levels of re-offending in the country.
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