The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has been given the green light for the establishment of a professional council for corrections.
In February, DCS received endorsement from National Treasury to proceed with the establishment of a professional council for corrections. The transitional phase of the establishment of the council will be over the next three financial years.
The council will be responsible for, amongst others, ensuring:
- competent correctional officials through effective registration, and continuous professional development (CPD);
- appropriate development of correctional practitioners through accreditation of educational institutions and education programmes;
- regulation of practice by investigating complaints and disciplinary processes;
- South African registered corrections practitioners are recognised when measured against international standards; and
- the development of relevant standards for identification of correctional work, and regulation thereof.
This was announced earlier today (27th August) at a graduation ceremony, at the Zonderwater Training College in Gauteng, of 446 DCS Control Room Operators who successfully completed the Correctional Services Learnership Programme.
Addressing the graduation, Chief Deputy Commissioner of Incarceration and Corrections, Mr James Smalberger, said: “Professionalising the public service is a top priority for government, as this is linked to improving the quality of service delivery. As the National Development Plan (NDP) requires, the public service is key to the state’s main objective of improving the lives of all South Africans.
“DCS is reputed to be one Department that has enrolled the highest number of youth in the Learnership Programme. We have also employed the most number of learners. This accolade was conferred on Correctional Services during the National Skills Conference in October 2013. We have undertaken to do our best to keep this leading position, as we continue to strengthen the capacity, and responsiveness, of our department to the needs of the people of South Africa.
Since the 2010/11 financial year, over 4,000 unemployed learners were enrolled in the Corrections Services Learnership Programme and we pride ourselves as 76% of them were absorbed as permanent correctional officials. These numbers include 999 learners currently undergoing the learnership, of which 569 are males and 430 females. This group commenced with the Learnership in February 2014, and are currently undergoing experiential learning at various correctional centres across the country. In addition, today we have 446 graduands, 44% of whom are females, receiving their certificates.
We are proud of this group because they will serve as Correctional Officials that are not only confined to the Control Rooms, but are versatile to function in other roles at centre level. Everyone is very important - remember every one is a hero or very special to someone. Don't disappoint us, as we have a high regard of you.
“Each Learnership Programme intake costs the Department of Correctional Services approximately R11.5 million. This excludes the payment of stipends, which amounts to R 43.3 million, as each learner receives R3,500 per month. This stipend will be increased to R4,000 for the next internship and learnership intake, providing a critical lifesaving income, which contributes in addressing youth unemployment in our society. This is an investment that the department is proud of, and will continue to make as part of implementing the Youth Employment Accord adopted in 2013 and the National Skills Development Strategy of South Africa.
“According to the White Paper on Corrections, ‘The ideal Correctional Official should embody the values that the Department of Correctional Services hopes to instil in the offender, as it is this official who is to assist and facilitate the rehabilitation processes of the offender. An attitude of serving with excellence, a principled way of relating to others and above all a just and caring attitude are essential ingredients of the makeup of a correctional official’. Nothing less is expected from you,” said Mr Smalberger.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 076 062 2180
