The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services has been given an assurance that no prisoners receive preferential treatment.
Committee Chairperson, Dr Mathole Motshekga, said he was grateful for the commitment made by the Department of Justice and Correctional Services. He urged senior management (of Correctional Services) to act in a swift manner once these issues were brought to their attention because it was not always possible to be aware of such incidents all the time.
The issue of preferential treatment was highlighted by some Committee Members who wanted to know if the convicted paralympian, Mr Oscar Pistorius, was given preferential treatment by being placed in a special section of the prison.
The Department of Justice and Correctional Services briefed the Committee on its strategy to manage overcrowding, the impact of the overcrowding strategy on population level and the impact of overcrowding on security. The acting Commissioner of Corrections indicated that it was not proper to comment on the matter as it was not finalised and still on appeal.
The department stated that the White Paper on Corrections was clear that people with disabilities were to be treated differently. “He has a disability, so we need to treat him differently. It, however, does not boil down to preferential treatment.” The Committee further heard that overcrowding in prison is on the decline. In 2002/03 the prisons were 164% full and in 2013/14 it decreased to 130%.
The department indicated the implementation of a multi-pronged strategy has culminated in the 34% reduction and that it is committed to continuing with this strategy to manage the inmate population. The Committee has noted that one of the impacts of overcrowding in many correctional systems was the lack of staff to supervise inmates which led to some inmates informally being given supervisory and disciplinary roles to keep order and maintain security at correctional centres.
Regarding CCTV cameras, it was noted that they were now at placed at gates and hallways, not in cells. According to the department, they take note of concerns of what happens at nights inside the cells but the rights of offenders also needed to be taken into account.
The Committee indicated that timelines for implementation plans should be given to the Committee so that it can monitor these plans.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Rajaa Azzakani
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 082 560 9610
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
