undertakes oversight mission to Eastern Cape
27 July 2006
As part of bringing parliament to the people and strengthening oversight,
the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on correctional services will undertake a
four day oversight mission to correctional centres in the Eastern Cape, from
the 1st until the 4th of August 2006.
The objective of the visit is to gain insight into the rehabilitation
programmes in the centres of excellence of the Department of Correctional
Services, follow up on security arrangements and cases of disciplinary action
following the escapes at the Middledrift correctional centre and the foiled
escape at the St. Albans correctional centre last month as well as establish
the rate of overcrowding in correctional centres.
The delegation led by the Chairperson of the committee, Hon. Dennis Bloem,
Member of Parliament (MP), will commence their visit at the East London
correctional centre on Tuesday, 1 August and then inspect the King William's
Town and Middledrift correctional centres on Wednesday, 2 August.
The final visit of the delegation will take place on Thursday, 3 August and
Friday, 4 August, with the fact-finding mission to the St. Albans Correctional
centre.
Mr Bloem says the committee will also have Izimbizo with staff and
management to reflect on labour relations in correctional centres following the
recent agreement between correctional services and unions accepted in the
Departmental Bargaining Chamber with an aim of normalising labour relations at
correctional centres.
"The main objective of the visit is to gain insight into the challenges
faced by the Department of Correctional Services so that we can assist in
creating conducive conditions for effective and efficient delivery of
correctional services," adds Mr Bloem.
He says "we also want to ensure that there is high level of staff discipline
and stringent security arrangements as part of the broader long - term strategy
to prevent escapes."
The committee wants to gather first hand information on the rehabilitation
programmes implemented at the centres for juvenile and female offenders and
their success rate in terms of assisting offenders in their social re-
integration.
"Ultimately, we would want to find alternative solutions to ease
overcrowding in correctional centres and this is a multi-departmental issue
that we will vigorously pursue," says Mr Bloem.
For media enquiries and arrangements for journalists to accompany the
delegation during the visits to the correctional centres, contact Luphumzo
Kebeni, media liaison officer, Ministry of Correctional Services
Cell: 082 453 2244
Tel: 012 305 8217
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
27 July 2006
Source: SAPA
