The Department of Correctional Services has revoked privileges and tightened security around only five Boeremag remand detainees that attempted to escape from court on 31 May 2011.
The department wishes to reject as incorrect and sensational wide spread media reports that privileges of all 11 Boeremag remand detainees were withdrawn. The stringent steps taken by Correctional Services were only against the five that attempted to escape. The privileges of the other six Boeremag detainees, as directed by the Supreme Court in December 2004 remain as they were.
Some of the revoked privileges include taking away four laptops and four TVs and reclassifying them as high security risk. They have also been separated from the other six Boeremag remand detainees incarcerated at C-Max Correctional Centre in Pretoria.
The steps taken against the five Boeremag remand detainees are in line with the safety policy and procedures of the department applied on inmates that attempted to escape from lawful custody and were subsequently re–arrested. Whilst the five Boeremag members attempted to escape at the Pretoria High Court under the guard of the South African Police Services (SAPS), Correctional Services reclassifies them as high security risk and Correctional Officials may take any steps deemed necessary to prevent any potential escape especially when such an inmate has been re-captured.
This is a normal standard procedure which may include locking up an inmate in a solitary confinement while under strict monitoring and observation by the correctional officials for a specific period and may also be cuffed with leg irons. The Department of Correctional Services takes any escape seriously to ensure that the members of the public are and indeed feel safe.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Correctional Services has tightened security around five-boeremag remand detainees that attempted to escape
