Correctional Services Bill: briefing

Correctional Services

05 August 1998
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Meeting report

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICE
5 August 1998
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES BILL: BRIEFING


SUMMARY
The purpose of the meeting was to brief the committee on the Bill in order to enable the committee to understand the framework of the legislation to proceed with formal discussion.

DETAILED MINUTES
The chairperson welcomed Mr Praxton of the department and his colleagues and Mr Mbengi from the state law advisor's office.

An announcement was made by the chairperson to the committee members that the new minister, Mr Ben Skhosana would be introduced to the committee. The chairperson suggested that in the meantime while the minister was not present, Mr Praxton should go through the Bill, chapter by chapter.

A committee member suggested that the new minister should be present during the briefing so as to provide guidelines and that the minister should have a look at the Bill before the committee goes ahead. However the chairperson decided to proceed with the briefing. The minister Mr Ben Skhosana was welcomed upon his arrival at about 9h50 am. Comments made by the minister were that he pledged his support and loyalty.

Mr Praxton continued.

Chapter 3 of the Bill deals with penalties. He noted that solitary confinement must be distinguished from segregation. This is because segregation is not a penalty, however, it is often used as one.

Chapter 5 of the Bill deals with unsentenced prisoners. It is important to look at the principles relating to unsentenced prisoners. It also deals with the differences between sentenced and unsentenced prisoners.

The chairperson asked for clarity regarding the clause that states financial support should be provided for released prisoners He queried whether this could be interpreted to mean financial support for up to three or four months. The commissioner replied that at least R20 is provided and no more. It is not a matter of financial support but rather just enough to get them one meal.

Chapter 7 deals with the release of prisoners and those requesting parole. There are different views on what the parole boards should be named. Initially, community parole board was suggested.

Chapter 10 deals with visitors. The contents are the same as in the amendment Act passed last year.

Chapter 13 differs to that of the present Act in the case of force.

Chapter 14 deals with joint prison ventures and this differs somewhat to the present Act.

A committee member asked whether their attention should not be directed to specific clauses of the Bill instead of merely browsing through the whole Bill otherwise no real problems may be sighted in covering it loosely.

Mr Praxton’s answer was that only certain conditions had been added and therefore there had not been any real restructuring. The Bill is much the same as the present Act. A significant difference however is that the department has tried to simplify the English.

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