Programme of Action: Discussion

Correctional Services

08 February 2005
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Meeting report

CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
8 February 2005
PROGRAMME OF ACTION: DISCUSSION

Chairperson:

Mr D Bloem (ANC)

Documents handed out:
 

Committee Programme

SUMMARY
The Committee met to discuss their Programme of action. Certain Members then provided report-backs on recent visits to prisons, emphasising crucial developments and recommending improvements. Members raised concerns regarding the process utilised to appoint Parole Board chairpersons, such as the lack of consultation and involvement of Members.

MINUTES

The Chairperson said the upcoming President’s State of the Nation Address would serve as a crucial driver of Committee activities. The strategic plan of the Department would be presented on 4 March and an overview of work completed on 15 April. The Programme was a draft and changes would occur in the short-term. He also mentioned he had visited a private prison at Mangaung in January and was impressed by the facilities available. A well-established education system was in place that taught life-skills to inmates. The Chairperson asked whether such facilities should be made available for younger prisoners to enhance life prospects as opposed to older beneficiaries. The Regional Commissioner was considering such a transformation.

Mr J Selfe (DA) concurred with the Chairperson that such private facilities would ideally suit younger prisoners and claimed that an increase in prisoner numbers would enhance cost-effectiveness. The Pretoria Women’s Correctional Facility had recently been visited and remained well-managed but severely overcrowded. The Pretoria Local prison was in disrepair with inappropriate administration facilities and no internet connections to assist operations. Various educational programmes were in place including Business Science courses and literacy enhancement. HIV/AIDS and depression remained the major illnesses in the women’s prison. The young children of prisoners would be placed in foster care. Constraints existed around space requirements and technology deficiencies. A report would be tabled in the near future. The Chairperson requested that such a report should be tabled as it would prove valuable to the Members.

Mr L Tolo (ANC) reported that he had visited the Port Shepstone prison in January where a new prison was currently being developed. Gender equality in terms of staff prevailed but overcrowding remained a concern. Prisoners were satisfied with the treatment received from officials. Structures had to be developed to assist in the rehabilitation of prisoners into communities upon release. A lack of government recognition in terms of photographs of officials was noticed within offices, and this would be rectified. Interviews for appointees to Parole Boards had been attended and two women had been chosen within six appointments.

Mr M Phala (ANC) stated that a report would be produced on interviews attended in January.

Mr S Mahote (ANC) had attended interviews held in the Western Cape and applicants’ lists were in place.

Mr Selfe stated that he had been invited to attend a meeting in the Western Cape, but was then informed that his presence was no longer required.

The Chairperson stated that Member’s names were submitted to the Department. The Department was supposed to inform Members of the applicants’ short-listing as the Committee wanted independent candidates to occupy Chairperson positions on Parole Boards. The monitoring of Parole Board appointments was a concern for the Committee as a whole, and was not a prerogative of the ruling party. The Western Cape would re-advertise the posts as no suitable candidates had been uncovered. Members should encourage people to apply for the positions.

Ms Seaton declared that she had received no invitation from the Department which was unfortunate as she had been involved in a number of initiatives in KwaZulu- Natal. She agreed that all parties should be involved in the process to select suitable candidates for the Parole Boards.

Mr S Swart (ACDP) and Mr Tolo stated that they had also not received invitations to attend interviews.

The Chairperson stated that the issues raised would be discussed with the Department as Members had to be involved in the process from the beginning. Members should inculcate a culture of co-operation and assistance within the Department that produced solutions. Members should play an active role in recruiting suitable officials for Department positions.

Ms L Chikunga (ANC) had visited certain prisons in her constituency to assess progress made in addressing shortcomings identified by the Auditor-General. Asset registration requirements were being addressed as well as qualification verification. Improved medicine controls were needed and sick leave among staff was being managed. Vacant posts were being considered and gender equality was improving within staff components. The hospital was well-managed, but deficiencies remained, such as limited primary health care qualifications. The designated children’s area was well-managed. Overcrowding persisted particularly among awaiting-trial prisoners.

The Chairperson recommended that Members discuss issues arising from observations directly with the Department and provide copies of ensuing correspondence to him for follow-ups. Visits by Members assisted the Committee to conduct meaningful oversight duties. 241 prisons existed in South Africa and the Committee should attempt to visit all within the five-year period. Ms Seaton requested that an updated list of all prisons be provided to Members with contact details to assist in oversight responsibilities.

Mr Swart referred to the delay in legislation regarding children’s rights (the Children’s Bill) and asked whether inquiries could be made about the timeframe. The Criminal Law Sexual Offences Bill had significant relevance for Correctional Services as it contained a broadening of the definition of rape by lowering the age of consent to 16. Children within prison could be placed at further risk. Clarity was sought on the implications for prison populations.

The Chairperson asked whether Mr Swart could brief the Committee on the ramifications of the Sexual Offences Bill in the near future to initiate internal debate. A concern was raised that a recent group of Members that visited the North-West and Mpumalanga provinces comprised only ANC members. It was important that future visits contained a representative spread of Members involving all political parties. Members were empowered by such visits and contributed to enhanced Committee function. Members should interact with prison staff to acquire a complete understanding of pertinent issues. Pending work would be apportioned amongst Members to facilitate efficacy.

The meeting was adjourned.

 

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