Escapes from correctional centres reduced to 0.031%
The National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Mr. Zachariya Modise, has welcomed the constant reduction in the number of escapes from South Africa’s 243 correctional centres.
According to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) latest (2014/15) annual report, the Department managed to reduce escapes to 0.031% with 99.97% of the country’s 159,563 inmates remaining safely behind bars. Forty nine (49) escapes were reported last year (2014/15), compared to 60 the previous year (2013/14).
Commissioner Modise has pledged to ensure enhanced public safety. “The efficiency, and effectiveness, of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) safe and secure custody programme, at the country’s 243 correctional centres, has reached unprecedented levels of 99.97%. Of the 0.031% of escapes last year, the majority were re-arrested and are back behind bars. This represents a continued decline, from as high as 1, 244 escapes per year in 1995, and we commend the majority of our Correctional Officials for this achievement. For instance, since its inception in 2002, the Ebongweni state-of-the-art correctional facility, in Kokstad in KwaZulu-Natal, has not recorded a single escape. This high risk maximum facility is managed on closed maximum principles, and currently caters for approximately 1,067 offenders in the maximum security classification from all over the country.
“Following any escape, an investigation is immediately conducted and appropriate action is taken against any official or offender found guilty of an offence. The action taken is dependent on the nature, and severity, of the offence. DCS, in conjunction with the South African Police Service, inclusive of their detective and intelligence divisions, and other law enforcement agencies, is leaving no stone unturned in the investigations into these escapes.
“We would like to warn members of the public that, in terms of the Correctional Services Act (Act 111 of 1998), any person who assists an inmate in escaping, or attempting to escape, from any correctional centre or from any place where he or she may be in custody, is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine, or to incarceration, for a period not exceeding ten years or to such incarceration without the option of a fine or both. Further, no person may, without lawful authority, supply, convey or cause to be supplied or conveyed to any inmate, or hide or place for his or her use any document, intoxicating liquor, dagga, drug, opiate, money, or any other article.
“We also want to extend our gratitude to communities that have upped their cooperation with law enforcement agencies to improve our re-arrest of escapees. We call upon you to provide no sanctuary for fugitives from justice in any corner of our country. We will also not hesitate to take action against any Correctional Official found guilty of related unlawful acts or omissions. We are calling upon citizens to do their part in this regard, as Corrections is a Societal Responsibility,” Commissioner Modise said.
Earlier this year (5-6 May 2015), DCS Security Mangers, from across the country, attended a work session in KwaZulu-Natal, to review their performance in the last (2014/15) financial year and to discuss strategic and operational concerns. Officials also signed a pledge committing to uphold laws governing the department, its security policies and the values and code of conduct of DCS.
As part of an integrated security systems approach, security improvements include implementation of security technology systems at identified centres, implementation of the Back to Basics campaign, security awareness campaigns in regions as well as training on the implementation of the gang management strategy. During this financial year, body scanning equipment is being installed at Kgoši Mampuru II, Johannesburg, Pollsmoor, St. Albans, Durban Westville, Groenpunt and Barberton. Cell phone detection systems are being rolled out in new-generation correctional facilities including Tswelopele (Kimberley) and Brandvlei (Western Cape). Other current installations are targeting Johannesburg Management Area and Kgoši Mampuru II Management Area in Gauteng, Pollsmoor and Goodwood in Western Cape as well as Durban-Westville and Umzinto in KwaZulu-Natal. The intention, over the long-term, is to have cell phone detection in all correctional facilities.
As part of the Back to Basics campaign, special emphasis is being placed on security measures in correctional centres, with increased visibility, and involvement, of managers at all levels in the operational activities at the country’s 243 correctional centres. Focus areas include tightening security measures at correctional centres, as well as increased supervision of officials. This entails, amongst others:
- Drastic enhancing of security at all access control points;
- Increase in impromptu, and periodic, internal and external patrols, and periodic spot checks, and cell counts, at irregular intervals/frequencies;
- Adequate staff deployment, which is of utmost importance, to ensure sufficient managers, and officials, are on duty;
- Increased, and intensified, visitor searches at exit and entry points;
- Strict adherence to visitation times;
- Confinement, and the minimisation of movements, of high risk inmates;
- Deployment, and increased visibility, of Emergency Support Teams, especially at high risk centres where maximum, and remand, detainees are incarcerated;
- Limitation of unnecessary movement of inmates between sections, and increased vigilance during offender escorts;
- Introduction of special security measures at strategic sections, including hospital sections and/or sections where religious, and social workers, are at risk in correctional centres;
- Effective management and immediate attention to complaints of inmates;
- Active involvement of professional staff (social workers, medical staff, religious workers and so on) to support inmates and staff; and
- Proactive handling, and management, of information received from inmates and/or other sources regarding planned escapes or other security threats.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 076 062 2180
