Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald said the parole system was being reviewed by his department.
“Parole is a mechanism that provides for conditional release of inmates to continue serving their sentences in society to better facilitate their reintegration. The department is working on reviewing the parole system,”
Groenewald said when he tabled the department’s medium-term budget of R87 billion in the National Assembly.
“Reforming our parole system is not just a policy issue, but a moral imperative.”
Groenewald said people have been asking for a fairer and more transparent system.
“The current criteria seem not to be appreciated. Though victims of crime are allowed to participate in the parole process, how far do their voices go?
“This calls for a relook in the review and oversight mechanisms. It is critical that this administration finalises this in the interest of all,” he added.
Groenewald said his department needed strategic investment in innovative programmes and commitment to justice and humanity.
“Our main task is to build on interventions making correctional facilities safe and secure.
“We need to identify and acknowledge the challenges and problems facing correctional services.
“We need to prioritise efficiencies in the department and root out corruption, ill-discipline and restore effective service delivery.”
He named overcrowding in prisons, dilapidated facilities, increasing number of remand detainees, deteriorating infrastructure, staff shortages, crime syndicates and gangs in prisons as some of the challenges.
Groenewald lamented the impact of the severe budget cuts, with the department’s baseline budget being cut by R2.525bn.
“The provision of security equipment is compromised, capital investment in skills developments was cut, the budget for nutritional services had to be cut, capital works projects will be on hold and the monitoring of parolees could be negatively impacted.
“We will and have to do more with less. This will require innovation, discipline and commitment,” he said.
However, Groenewald said two priorities that would receive attention were effective contract management and reduction of outsourcing.
The minister added he would pay attention to the investment made in training and development of staff.
“It is vital that they are equipped with skills and necessary equipment to perform their functions effectively.
“Well-trained and motivated staff is essential for creating a rehabilitating environment and ridding crime from our correctional services.”
Groenewald said they would pay attention to overcrowding of at correctional centres.
The number of prisoners in 2022-23 increased from 14 223 to 157 056.
There were 59 574 unsentenced prisoners during the same period.
Groenewald said the criminal justice cluster needed to find a solution and create a working system.
“Working teams with other criminal justice agencies will be strengthened to address the causes of delays in criminal justice process to ensure case backlogs can be approached in a systematic manner and pressure on correctional facilities relieved by joint action.
“The long-term solution requires departments and agencies within the justice, crime prevention and security cluster to develop comprehensive and evidence-based criminal justice reform strategies that address overcrowding in an effective and sustainable manner,” he said.
Cape Times