desired results in correctional centres
19 September 2006
A major turn around strategy to create conducive conditions for effective
rehabilitation of offenders and strengthening of management capacity of the
Department of Correctional Services in the Eastern Cape has begun to yield
fruitful results.
Amongst its other major spin offs, the strategy is set to pave way for the
transfer of staff and inmates from the Middledrift Correctional Centres and the
re-classification of the centre into a medium facility with agricultural
projects.
The report was given today, 19 September 2006, to the Parliamentary
Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services by the Minister, Mr Ngconde
Balfour, Deputy Minister, Ms Loretta Jacobus, National Commissioner, Linda Mti
and the Eastern Cape regional management of the department.
The major turn-around strategy has led to recent senior and junior
management transfers to strengthen management and general capacity in areas at
the Umtata, Middledrift and St Albans correctional centres. So far, 72
officials from the Middledrift centre have been transferred and this has
enabled the department to further overhaul security at the centre. This will be
followed by the re-classification of the centre into a medium centre with
agricultural projects as the flagship of our rehabilitation programmes. A
further transfer of maximum offenders, from Middledrift to Umtata and
Queenstown correctional centres is also underway.
The strategy also encompasses the recent establishment of regional task
teams to deal with overcrowding, the transfer of staff and inmates, and the
institution of disciplinary action against staff implicated in acts of
insubordination and corruption.
Inter-departmental initiatives with Justice, has culminated in the
establishment of the integrated justice centres in the courts of Port
Elizabeth, East London and Zwelitsha and this is expected to drastically reduce
overcrowding in correctional centres in the Eastern Cape.
New correctional facilities earmarked to create conducive conditions for
effective rehabilitation of offenders, amongst them sports and recreational
facilities as well as multi-purpose halls, are expected to be constructed in
the province following approval by head office.
Institutional capacity in the province has further been strengthened with
the appointment of 1 050 new recruits since March this year. Another
recruitment drive to benefit the Eastern Cape is expected to commence in
January 2007. These are some of the on-going initiatives taken to create
conducive conditions for the rehabilitation of offenders and strengthening
management capacity, enhancing institutional discipline as well as reducing
overcrowding.
Enquiries:
Luphumzo Kebeni
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 453 2244
Manelisi Wolela
Deputy Commissioner
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Service
19 September 2006
Source: Department of Correctional Service (http://www.dcs.gov.za)
