Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has rounded off her four day visit to the United Kingdom (UK) with a visit to Britain’s most secure prison facility named Belmarsh.
Belmarsh prison is located just outside of London and secures the UK’s most dangerous offenders including the London bombers.
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula undertook an extensive tour of the facility and received a briefing on its operations.
The Minister expressed high interest in the medical care services provided to inmates as well as aspects of training of officials.
“This facility is highly secure yet very humane. I appreciated the sense of discipline that is driven by high levels of professionalism and a relationship of trust and respect between officials and inmates” noted Minister Mapisa-Nqakula.
“The medical services model used here is something I will be raising in a roundtable discussion with the medical profession that I plan to convene later this month,” she added.
The Minister will also explore possible areas of cooperation with her UK counterpart going forward. Minister Mapisa-Nqakula left for UK on Tuesday evening and returns to South Africa tomorrow 8 August 2009.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
7 August 2009
