Correctional Services Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize says it is appropriate for government to prioritise development disparities between urban and rural areas so that rural communities, including inmates, can have access to equitable quality services and development.
Addressing correctional officials and managers at Ncome Correctional Centre in Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal today, Ms Mkhize said "inmates, parolees and probationers in rural areas are not benefiting from services rendered by government and non-governmental organisations in the same manner enjoyed by urban residents."
Deputy Minister Mkhize's comments followed a series of presentations by Ncome, Glencoe and Waterval Area Commissioners on the successes and challenges facing these rural centres of correctional services. She is continuing with her visits of correctional centres that have thus far covered Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Poorly maintained buildings, bad road infrastructure and shortage of personnel with scarce skills like nurses and psychologists, as well as poor IT (information and technology) infrastructure were cited as some the challenges facing these rural correctional centres.
The Area Commissioner of Glencore Mr Joe Hlatshwayo said "many nurses and officials with scarce skills declined appointments after observing the extent of under-development of the rural areas. Areas of concern cited included the quality of educational and recreational facilities for families of officials in the rural areas. Another Area Commissioner Ms. Mimi Mthembu of Waterval cited an average of 50% vacancies in scarce skills while educationists in particular had 74% vacancies.
Deputy Minister Mkhize said budget vote speeches delivered in June 2009 outlined the vision of the Minister and Deputy Minister of Correctional Services and therefore "time for talking is over, now is the time for rolling up the sleeves and work done."
She appreciated a number of best practices adopted by the Correctional Centres with various partners to address challenges of rehabilitation. Singled out for praise was the partnership of Waterval Management Area with Amajuba FET College which provides training and education in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, computer studies to offenders incarcerated in Waterval and Akuseni Correctional Centres. In her address she called for innovative ways to fight crime, break the cycle of crime and reduce re-offending rates. She thanked correctional officials for their hard work and called for a balance between security and rehabilitation needs, reiterating that the department's budget must be re-aligned to reflect this balance as stipulated in the White Paper on Corrections.
She highlighted the differences she observed during the visits to Boksburg Correctional Centre on Sunday and the conditions of rural correctional centres like income.
Public Works Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu said consideration must be given engaging offenders skilled in construction in government's expanded public works programme in order to enhance social re-integration and prevent re-offending.
We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the DCS to ensure that there which will be developed in to a Service Level Agreement that spells. As we establish the partnerships we will ensure that people serviced by Public Works will
Public Works is going to spend over R106 million on the programme of renovating and revamping Waterval, Ncome and Glencoe correctional facilities during the current financial year. "I hope through the implementation of the R787 billion infrastructure development programme of government will contribute in reducing re-offending, Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu said.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Simphiwe Xako
Cell: 083 634 8317
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
30 July 2009
