Department Budget Debate preparations

CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
15 May 2007
DEPARTMENT BUDGET DEBATE PREPARATIONS

Chairperson: Mr D Bloem (ANC)

Documents Handed Out:
Committee Report on the Correctional Services’ Budget
Minister’s Speech on Department Budget (available here on 21 May 2007)

Audio Recording of the Meeting

SUMMARY
The Committee was encouraged to prepare for the debate on the Department of Correctional Services budget which would take place on 18 May 2007 in the National Assembly. The members had been on an oversight visit the previous week which minimised the time they had available to prepare and research for the debate.

MINUTES
The Chairperson explained that purpose of the meeting was to prepare for the Department Budget Vote debate to be held on 18 May 2007. He reflected on the Committee’s oversight visit the previous week and acknowledged that members would not have had a chance to prepare for the debate due to this oversight. He reminded members that on 3 May 2007, the Committee had adopted its Report on the Department’s Budget which had been published that day in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports (ATC) of Parliament.

A critical feature of delivery in the DCS is the improvement of security. During this year, biometric systems have been rolled out and implemented at centres. The HIV/Syphilis prevalence survey has been re-launched and finalised. Corrections week, which focus on strengthening of partnerships, has also been launched during this year. The DCS has started to implement the recommendations of the Jali Commission report and will ensure that all the recommendations are implemented.

He mentioned some of the Department’s highlights in the year 2006/07 which were:
- The improvement of security with the installation of biometric systems at centres;
- The HIV/Syphilis prevalence survey had been re-launched and finalised;
- The start of the implementation of the recommendations of the Jali Commission Report;
- Increased personnel capacity;
- The management of corruption such as the Medical Aid issue and
- Discipline and respect in the Department amongst members had improved and this was something that had to be noted and encouraged.

The Chairperson also pointed out some of the challenges. These were the participation of offenders in rehabilitative programmes, shortage of professional staff and retrenchment of members, awaiting trial prisoners, implementation of unit management, the negative impact of the seven-day establishment on staff, staff collaboration in prison escapes and the violent nature of these escapes. He also mentioned the delay in the building of prisons, and the removal of children from prisons.

The Chairperson asked committee members to take into account these issues when preparing their speeches, although they were not confined to them. He requested that they do more research on the issues and how they should be addressed in the budget debate.

The Chairperson gave an opportunity for members to comment, however he emphasised the need to go and prepare for the debate.

As none of the members had any comments, the meeting was adjourned.