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DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL

SERVICES

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PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO

COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONS

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PURPOSE

THE PURPOSE OF THIS

PRESENTATION IS TO BRIEF THE

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON THE

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND

PLANS WITH REGARD TO PRISONS

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OVERCROWDING

ON 28 FEBRUARY 2001, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

MANAGED 238 PRISONS IN 9 PROVINCES.THESE PRISONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

8 FOR FEMALE OFFENDERS 13 FOR YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES 113 FOR MALE OFFENDERS 99 FOR MALE AND FEMALE OFFENDERS 5 PRISONS TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS

SOUTH AFRICAN PRISONS CAPACITY IS 102 048. HOWEVER, IT HAS

170 168 INMATES AS ON 28 FEBRUARY 2001. THIS SITUATION

CONSTITUTES AN AVERAGE OVERPOPULATION RATE OF 66.75 %

AND A TOTAL ACCOMMODATION CAPACITY NEED FOR 68 120

PRISONERS.

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OVERVIEW (Continued)The distribution of the prisoners population,as on 28 February 2001, per province

Province Capacity Unsentenced Sentenced Total OccupationFREE STATE 9,849 3,453 10,911 14,364 142.36%MPUMALANGA 7,550 2,392 7,620 10,012 131.14%

KWAZULU-NATAL 16,865 11,463 16,617 28,080 178.72%

EASTERN CAPE 12,296 7,117 13,658 20,775 165.84%

WESTERN CAPE 19,367 8,334 19,744 28,078 142.49%

NORTH WEST 6,697 2,906 8,779 11,685 171.72%NORTHERN CAPE 3,055 1,748 5,312 7,060 233.68%

NORTHERN PROV. 2,315 1,530 3,680 5,210 218.92%

GAUTENG 24,045 18,733 26,171 44,904 185.20%TOTAL 102,048 57,676 112,492 170,168 166.75%

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INFANTS, CHILDREN AND FEMALES

- CHILDREN IN CUSTODY (UNDER 18 YEARS) : 3621

- INFANTS & CHILDREN (BIRTH TO 5 YEARS) : 183

- FEMALE OFFENDERS : 4274

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STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS OVERCROWDING

To address the challenges presented by overcrowding the Department is involved in a number of inter departmental projects developed within the Crime Prevention, Justice and Safety Cluster.

Through the clustering approach the DCS has been able to formulate and embark on the following strategies to combat overcrowding in prisons:

There are multi-sectoral teams to identify blockages and devise solutions for the awaiting trial prisoners . (E.g Awaiting Trial Prisoner Projects, Court Process Project, Inmate tracking, Saturday courts)

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Strategies (continued) Release of offenders who have committed less serious

crimes, after they have served a set minimum period oftheir sentence.

Alternatives to imprisonment, which involve serving thesentence within the community under supervision.

Electronic monitoring has been identified as a systemthat will strengthen and enhance communitycorrections.

The provision of additional prison accommodationthrough a system of partnerships with the privatesector.

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Strategies (continued)

The Department also held the first National Symposium onCorrectional Services on 1 and 2 August 2000 inter alia tocreate awareness of overcrowding in prisons and the effectsthereof.

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MEASURES TO ADDRESS OVERCROWDING

Interventions and actions taken to reduce the prisoner population:

Optimal utilization of Community Corrections as a sentencing / diversion option

Conversion of sentences into Correctional Supervision Assisting prisoners to obtain money to pay their bail and fines Ensuring that support systems are in place for all prisoners

who are to be released on parole or correctional supervision Speedy placement of prisoners with fines on Correctional

Supervision

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MEASURES TO ADDRESS OVERCROWDING (Continued)

Ensuring that prisoners who qualify for parole are placed out as soon as possible

Increased focus on rehabilitation programmes for prisoners to prevent re-offending

Focus on training-, education- and social development programmes

Release of 8 262 awaiting trial prisoners accused of less serious offences that were granted bail of R 1 000 or less. (September 2000)

Early placement of 8 678 sentenced prisoners through the advancement of their approved parole dates.(Oct 2000)

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MEASURES TO ADDRESS OVERCROWDING (Continued)

Expanding accommodation capacity through the Capital Works Programme

Completion of current projects- Kokstad Closed Maximum - 1 440 prisoners- Devon Pre-release Centre - 600 prisoners

New prisons with capacity for ± 6 000 beds in 2003/4 Repair and Maintenance programmes for prisons in 2004/5

Opening of APOPS Prisons- Bloemfontein(1/7/2001) - 2 928 prisoners- Louis Trichardt (1/2/2002) - 3 024 prisoners

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CONCLUSIONDespite the interventions duringSeptember/ October 2000 (Bail releasesand the advancement of approved paroledates), which led to a reduction in theprison population from 172 271 duringApril 2000 to 160 807 by the end ofOctober 2000, the prison population stoodat 170 168 on 28 February 2001. It isobvious that these interventions did nothave a long-term effect on the prisonpopulation.

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This is further demonstrated by the followingstatistics regarding awaiting trial prisoners:April 2000: 63 964September 2000: 48 678February 2001: 57 695

Statistics (17 February 2001 to 10 March 2001)pertaining to the influence of Saturday Courts atthose prisons where the concept was implemented,demonstrate that although the decrease isinsignificant, there is a definite decrease in awaitingtrial prisoners in these institution (41 224 reducedto 40 575).

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Impact of measures taken regarding awaiting trial prisoners:

Bearing in mind the high crime rate and the increasing awaiting trial prisoner population, the Department of Correctional Services will have to investigate other extreme measures to combat the problem of overcrowding in prisons

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The Way Forward

As described in Outputs linked to the keyDepartmental Objectives

(1) Improvement of Prisoner Management(2) Significantly decrease incarcerated

population to reduce overcrowding(3) Significantly increase prison

accommodation:

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The Way Forward (cont.) Placement of offenders on community

corrections

Construction of new Unit Managementfacilities

Upgraded and expanded existing facilitiesin accordance with Unit Management

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ESCAPES FROM CUSTODY

-

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91213186

407458417159

246

312

582

786760

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

FROM PRISON FROM OUTSIDE PRISON

RECORD OF ESCAPES : 1995 TO 2000

1995 % 2000 % DECLINE % DECLINEFROM PRISON 417 20.77 91 36.40 326 78.18%FROM OUTSIDE 760 79.23 159 63.60 601 79.08%TOTAL 1,177 100,00 250 100.00 927 78.76%

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INTERVENTION STRATEGIES:PREVENTION OF ESCAPES

National Action Plan for the prevention of escapes. Strict disciplinary actions against negligent and

corrupt officials. Criminal prosecution of officials and any other person

for aiding escapes. Enforcement of strict compliance and adherence to all

the relevant policies and procedures improving control and security in prisons.

Incentives for prisoners who report planned escapes or who raise alarm.

Stronger emphasis on the involvement of Managers at all levels.

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DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST OFFICALS: ESCAPESJan. to Dec. 2000

Number of officials charged: 333Number of dismissals: 19Number of serious/final written warnings: 60Number of written/verbal warnings: 42Not guilty: 59

Cases still pending: 153

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COMPARATIVE ESCAPE FIGURES1999 VERSUS 2001

1999 2000 2001JANUARY 39 13 15FEBRUARY 34 14 19MARCH 48 26 10APRIL 18 22 18TOTAL 139 75 62

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IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING

The specifications document was completed.

Invitations of possible tenders were

advertised on 12 January 2001.

A compulsory meeting was held on 9 February 2001

with possible bidders to clarify certain

questions.

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Because of some information in the specification document that was not clear consequently the tender

invitation lapsed.

The tender documentation was revised and forwarded to Treasury for their comment and advice.

As soon as an answer is received back from Treasury, the tender

process will continue.

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Expected outputs

Continuously monitored probationers, parolees and awaiting trial persons.

To have more effective and efficient control over offenders in the community.

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ENHANCEMENT OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS

Key Departmental objective

To enhance Community Corrections

Strategy: To improve the quality of visitations to probationers and parolees by correctional officials.

To involve family or custo-dian of the offender in the visitation and rehabilitation process.

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To fully decentralise Community Corrections reporting offices to be accessible to all offenders.

To place low risk awaiting trial prisoners who cannot afford to pay bail in order to reduce overcrowding.

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To place parolees, probationers and awaiting trial persons under Community Corrections and to market the concept to the Department of Justice.

To train Community Corrections officials

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Expected Outputs: BY 2005

Increased home visitations by correctional officials and professional correctional personnel in order to spend more quality time with offenders and address their individual needs.

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Increased number of professional correctional personnel attached to Community Corrections in order to compile pre-sentence/ evaluation reports and present programmes to offenders.

Increased number of volunteers in order to be involved in DCS

activities.

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Increased number of correc-tional officials in order to monitor and spend more quality time with all offenders during visitation.

Reduced population of awaiting trial prisoners as well as the sentenced prisoners by 25%.

Establish tracing units to achieve

50% reduction of absconders

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UNIT MANAGEMENT

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INTRODUCTION

• The concept of unit management aims at the

individualised care of offenders and the identification of development and rehabilitation potential as well as the risk to the community

• Multi- disciplinary teams will ensure appropriate placement, care and development of all prisoners

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• The DCS approved that this concept to prisoner management be implemented in

all prisons as well as APOPS

Introduction(continue)

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DEVELOPMENTS

• A Functional training model and source document was developed and ten training workshops involving ± 550 officials representing the offices of the 9 Provincial Commissioners and 41 prisons, which accommodate more than 46 000 prisoners, were conducted during 2000/2001.

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• Trainees were trained on the principles, elements and processes/ procedures associated with unit management.

• They were also afforded the opportunity to, amongst others, divide their prisons into units and to develop

Structured Day Programmes as well as Operational Procedure Manuals within the parameters of the concept.

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Because the implementation and development of unit management is a process and not an event, it is firstly being phased in 41 prisons.

Following the successful implementation in those 41 identified prisons, Provincial Commissioners will expand the concept to other existing prisons in their provinces

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THE WAY FORWARD AS DESCRIBED IN OUTPUTS LINKED TO THE KEY DEPARTMENTAL OBJECTIVE: IMPROVEMENT OF PRISONER MANAGEMENT

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OUTPUTS

• Implementation of Unit Management at 80% of our prisons by 2005

• Development of norms and standards pertaining to requirements for Unit

Management by 2003

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• Finalise resource document on training by 2002

• Training of staff on Unit Management:

- 20% by 2002

- 40% by 2003

- 60% by 2004

- 80% by 2005

OUTPUTS (continue)

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OUTPUTS (continue)

• Develop an appropriate security risk assessment instrument by

2003

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HIV/AIDS

INTRODUCTION

HIV/AIDS WILL POSE A SUBSTANTIAL THREAT NOT ONLY TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BUT ALSO TO CORRECTIONAL SERVICES. A COHERENT INTERVENTION STRATEGY IS THEREFORE REQUIRED TO EFFECTIVELY DEAL WITH THE

PANDEMIC.

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STATISTICS:

March. 1995: 596March. 1996: 698March. 1997: 924March. 1998: 1 439March. 1999: 1 946 March. 2000: 2 939March. 2001: 3 967

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DEVELOPMENTS POLICY CONSULTATION ARE BEING FINALISED

HIV/AIDS STRATEGIC SESSION IS PLANNED FOR JULY 2001

ESTABLISHMENT OF FULL TIME HIV/AIDS UNITS AT HEAD OFFICE, PROVINCES AND IDENTIFIED PRISONS AS RECOMMENDED BY DOH

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75% OF NURSES ARE TRAINED IN HIV/AIDSFORMALISATION OF HIV/AIDS COMMITTEES AT ALL LEVELS

COMMEMORATION OF WORLD AIDS DAY IN ALL PROVINCES

PARTICIPATION IN THE DOH PROJECT, DONATION OF DIFLUCAN TABLETS BY PFIZERCOMPANY

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DIFLUCAN IS FOR TREATMENT OF FUNGAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV INFECTION

PRISONER PEER-LED EDUCATION

SUPPORT OF SECONDMENT OF PWAs BY DOH

PROMOTION OF PARTNERSHIPAND COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ROLE PLAYERS

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INTENSIFYING AWARENESS PROGRAMMESEXTEND PROGRAMMES TO ALL PRISONS

DISTRIBUTION OF GUIDELINES FOR THE

PREVETION AND TREATMENT OF

OPPORTUNISTIC AND HIV RELATED DISEASES

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STRATEGIC PLAN

2005

- NEED BASED PROGRAMME PLAN

WITH 100% PROFESSIONAL STAFF TRAINED

IN HIV/AIDS

- ENHANCEMENT OF INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH AND PRISONER INVOLVMENT IN

PROGRAMS

- FULL PARTICIPATION OF ALL ROLE PLAYERS

- PRISONER-PEER-LED EDUCATION PROGRAMS

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EEHANCEMENT OF REHABILITATIONHANCEMENT OF REHABILITATION

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THE AIM OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICESIS TO REHABILITATE OFFENDERS

IN OUR CARE, TOPREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION

IN THE COMMUNITY AS PRODUCTIVE AND LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS

AIMAIM

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

• Constitution of the RSA (108 of 1996) enshrines the rightsof prisoners to conditions of detention that are consistentwith human dignity

• Pursuant to the Constitutional imperatives and the corefunctions of the department, DCS committed itself to embrace a new paradigm and move from punitive to rehabilitative approach

• Emphasis is placed on striking a balance between safe custody and rehabilitation as rehabilitation is a long-term goal to crime prevention

• Comprehensive strategic perspectives to support and enhance rehabilitation were identified

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STATUS REPORTSTATUS REPORTON STRATEGIC ISSUESON STRATEGIC ISSUES

• National Workshop on Rehabilitation • Development of a Rehabilitation Policy• Creative Skills Development Policy• Establishment of Training Centres• National Skills Fund: Department of Labour• Intervention model (comprehensive assessment of the offender’s

profile to identify his/her rehabilitation needs and to develop a care plan)• Combating illiteracy• Marketing of rehabilitation programmes to offenders• Restorative Justice approach to bring about healing• Community participation to enhance rehabilitation programmes

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•A series of workshops with different disciplines were held between September 2000 and March 2001

•The goal of the workshops were to:Reposition ourselves within the context of the core business, government priorities and trends in corrections redefine the role and responsibilities of these professionals in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders identify key policy indicators identifying gaps in existing policies and developing of new policy

•External role players from various tertiary institutions, Government Departments, NGO’s/CBO’s and ex-offenders were involved

Progress

National Workshops on Rehabilitation

Strategic issue

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•Discussion documents were compiled on the outcome of the workshops and submitted to the DC Development Programmes

•Focus areas of the workshops:Combating illiteracyIncrease community participationPrevention programmes within the communityAftercare programmes to prevent relapse into reoffendingSpecialized training needs of staff

•Obstacles / impediments were identified that impedes the successful rendering of rehabilitation programmes to offenders such as Human resource and facilities

•Key policy indicators were identified for the compilation of a draft policy document on the respective discipline

Output

National Workshops on Rehabilitation

Strategic issue

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•An urgent to align policies with current legislation an latest trends was identified.

•A multi-disciplinary team is currently in the process to develop a policy on rehabilitation

•Policy guidelines to inform practice will be developed.

Development of a Rehabilitation Policy

ProgressStrategic issue

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•No clear guidelines on the application of creative skills development in a prison environment exist.

•A draft policy was compiled and due to be submitted to Management Board for approval and implementation

Progress

Creative Skills Development Policy

Strategic issue

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•Facilities at majority of prisons not conducive to the rendering of rehabilitation programmes

•Number of training centres are currently in the planning phase and / or in the process of being build as part of a NCPS project

•The following training centres have already been completed:NelspruitEast LondenKimberley

•Training will be provided in Basic Technical Skills in combination with Business Skills

•Personnel will be trained as instructors at an external accredited training body in order to utilize these centres to full capacity

•As part of this process, current space and facilities not in use will be identified to be reallocated for rehabilitation purposes

Progress

Establishment of training centres

Strategic issue

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•Due to limited funds and capacities only a number of offenders have the opportunity to participate in Occupational Skills Training

•The allocated amount of R4million per annum has been increased for this financial year to an amount of R7million

•Training needs were identified per province and funds were allocated and distributed to the respective provinces according to specific identified needs

•External Service Providers are contracted to provide Basic Occupational Skills Training. External certificates are issued on completion of training

Progress

National Skills Fund: Department of Labour

Strategic issue

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•The development of an intervention framework that would guide practice has been developed.

•Assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation are the four building blocks of the helping cycle

•Training of Master Trainers and professionals on the model are in the process

•The model will be piloted at selected prisons for evaluation and monitoring

Progress

Intervention Model (comprehensive assessment of the offender’s profile to identify his/her rehabilitation needs and to develop a care plan)

Strategic issue

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•An integrated assessment tool for offenders is in being developed

•The tool will be utilized for appropriate placement, care and rehabilitation of offenders.

•The tool will ensure that resources are used optimally for the rehabilitation of offenders.

•Training on implementation will start as soon as this tool has been finalised

Output

Development of an integrated assessment tool

Strategic issue

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• ABET programmes are implemented in all prisons

•In January 2001 a contract was entered into with the external service provider.

•Distribution of procured learner support material are in process

•Evaluation of the effectiveness of learner support material and curriculum appropriateness will be conducted on a continuous basis

Progress

Combating illiteracy

Strategic issue

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•Programmes and services shall be marketed extensively

•Marketing strategies shall include:Updating brochures for offendersDevelopment of an orientation video Organize internal and national days e.g. International Literacy day, Restorative Justice Week, Women’s Day, Youth Day, etc

Progress

Marketing of rehabilitation programmes to offenders

Strategic issue

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• Restorative Justice Week (12 – 19 November 2000) was commemorated to create awareness amongst personnel, prisoners, victims, families and the community

•Various restorative justice events and workshop were organized for offenders and the community with the focus on the mediation and healing process

•During the National Workshops on Rehabilitation the Restorative Justice Approach was debated with various external role players

•A discussion document will be compiled on Restorative Justice to promote a common understanding

Progress

Restorative Justice Approach to bring about healing

Strategic issue

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•National workshops will be organized to raise awareness involving internal and external role players

•Victim / offender mediation protocol will be developed to facilitate the reconciliation process between victim, offender, family and the community

•Required training on mediation protocol will be conducted after the mediation protocol is finalized

Progress

Restorative Justice Approach to bring about healing

Strategic issue

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•Creation of an environment that is conducive for social independence, self discipline and ongoing family support and community participation

•The community should play a pivotal role in supporting and strengthening rehabilitation programmes

•A model for community involvement will be developed

•In order to support this model, current policies on community involvement will be reviewed to increase community participation.

Progress

Community participation to enhance Rehabilitation programmes

Strategic issue

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CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

The execution of the following programmes / projectsAre subject to the approval of the Business Plans of the Chief Directorate Development Programmes, which wereSubmitted for Management Board approval and funding, I.e.

• Development and implement needs-based rehabilitationprogrammes by the year 2003

• Combating illiteracy within a prison environment• Establish capacities at prisons for rehabilitation programmes• Engagement of the community in the rehabilitation

programmes for offenders• Restorative Justice