Question NW731 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Share this page:

08 June 2020 - NW731

Profile picture: Selfe, Mr J

Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Whether offenders released on parole or after completion of their sentences will be screened for coronavirus infection; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the process that will be followed in testing the specified persons?

Reply:

Offenders released on parole or after completion of their sentences are screened for coronavirus infection in terms of the Departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Preparedness, Detection and Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

All presumptive and confirmed COVID-19 offenders who are due for parole or release are quarantined and isolated in DCS and parole suspended until confirmed negative.

Should the home environment allow for home quarantine or isolation (based on their individual health status) as determined by the Social Workers in Community Corrections, the offender may be paroled and linked with the District Tracer Teams.

These offenders will be subjected to a pre-release programme which includes information about their health condition (e.g. self-care and prevention measures) and provided with a two (2) months’ supply of medication.

Offenders whose sentences have ended are released and linked with the District Tracer Teams and referred in terms of the departmental health care referral procedures.

END

Source file