Ramolobeng slams ‘unacceptable’ prison staffing levels. Image: SABC news
(The Post News)- Kgomotso Ramolobeng, chairperson of Parliament’s Correctional Services committee, has expressed concern over the ratio of prison wardens to inmates.
The Department of Correctional Services has addressed the escape of Thabo Bester. They have implemented remedial actions that were recommended by the Public Protector report. Bester escaped from the privately owned Mangaung Correctional Center, after allegedly faking his death by setting a body alight in his cell. Among other things, the public protector has recommended an escape prevention strategy and guidelines for handling corruption reports or Whistleblowing. The current ratio is one warden for every 20 inmates. Although the ideal ratio should be two wardens for every 20 inmates, according to the National Commissioner of Correctional Services. Ramolobeng has raised concerns over the 1:20 officer-to-inmate ratio, citing concerns for correctional officer safety and well-being.
Ramolobeng said the solution to prison overcrowding lies in addressing the justice system’s fundamental problems. Trial delays and case backlogs are some of the bigger problems. Furthermore, Ramolobeng says trials must be sped up and completed within a reasonable time. She called on the Department of Correctional Services to engage with the justice and security cluster to address prison overcrowding challenges. The Department of Correctional Services reports a 46% overcrowding rate and requires 50,000 additional bed spaces to alleviate pressure. Additionally, the department proposes building 100 new correctional centers with 500 beds or 50 centers with 1,000 beds. The committee discovered that the budget allocation for infrastructure needs has been cut from R1 billion to about R721 billion. Moreover, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has developed the majority of maintenance responsibilities for the DCS.
Furthermore, the Department of Correctional Services requires funding reallocation to support infrastructure development and maintenance projects effectively. The department also briefed the committee on the captivity of foreign nationals in correctional facilities. However, the committee was informed that there is a draft policy on interstate transfer of prisoners. The committee asked for it to be presented to them.
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