Question NW1311 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
09 July 2021 - NW1311
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)Whether there is a Correctional Supervision and Parole Board dedicated to the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether any delays and/or backlogs occur in the consideration of parole applications from the specified correctional centre; if so, what (a) are the reasons for the delays and/or backlogs and (b) steps are being taken to expedite such applications?
Reply:
1. Yes there is a Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) dedicated to the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre, however the positions of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson: Correctional Supervision and Parole Board are vacant.
(2)(a) Yes, there are delays in the consideration of parole with a current backlog of nine (09) offenders.
(2)(b) The CSPB Chairperson that is dedicated to Correctional Centre B, is assisting with parole considerations for the Female Correctional Centre. A roaming Vice Chairperson from Modderbee Management Area is then assisting at Correctional Centre B CSPB with consideration of Lifers as this is a time consuming process. The intervention of the roaming Vice Chairperson from Modderbee enables the Chairperson more time at the Female Correctional Centre.
It is desirable that CSPB posts should be filled to capacity, however due to Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons and community members being appointed on a 3 year contract there will be vacancies as a result of expired contracts pending the finalisation of the recruitment process. The process of filling these vacant positions is underway as the positions have been advertised.
The intervention of roaming CSPB members was put in place at various management areas in order to minimise delays.
END.