10 August 2007
Prisons and Corrections institutions in Africa took a giant development leap
when they endorsed the establishment of an Africa Correctional Services
Association (Acsa) that will provide a platform for a unified voice in efforts
to address massive challenges facing prisons in Africa. The decision was taken
at a one-day conference that was preceded by a two-day symposium at the Royal
Swazi Spa Hotel in Swaziland from 8 to 10 August 2007.
South Africa's National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Vernie
Petersen says eighteen Cesca (Conference of Eastern, Southern and Central
African Heads of Correctional Services) member countries unanimously agreed
with ten non-Cesca Africa counterparts on the principles to govern the new body
that will be launched in March 2008.
Commissioner Petersen said it was a 'dream come true' as 27 African
countries agreed that the time for effective coordination and mainstreaming of
corrections in African conflict resolution and development initiatives had
come. The conference's theme was 'Effective Penal Institutions â An African
Perspective.'
Commissioner Petersen said the conference also endorsed the establishment of
an Interim Executive Committee (IEC) which would spearhead the mobilisation of
the other non-participating African countries and the preparations for the
official launch of the new body in March 2008. The conference also endorsed the
establishment of a political forum of Ministers called the Ministerial Council
of Acsa Champions (Mincac). Both of these new structures are expected to meet
for the first time in November 2007 in order to steer the process towards the
launch of Acsa and the subsequent dissolution of Cesca.
Commissioner Petersen added that the forum of African corrections
institutions would provide a platform for sharing of best practices, driving of
the implementation of international instruments endorsed by most Africa
countries and for helping in mobilising resources for improving prison and
correctional services in the continent. He acknowledged that "there is still a
long way to go in getting all 53 African countries on board, but the road
already travelled is great and provides a new impetus for mobilising all
countries under the auspices of the African Union (AU)."
Many African prisons and correctional services institutions are struggling
to deal with poor conditions, challenges of competing with other national
socio-economic development priorities which impact negatively on the countries'
ability to implement various African declarations and international protocols
on the management of inmates, both those awaiting trial and those serving
sentences.
Commissioner Petersen described the progress made as exciting and energising
all participants in their efforts to build a better Africa in a better
world.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
10 August 2007
