Question NW4197 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
10 December 2015 - NW4197
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)Whether, since 1 January 2014, he has received a certain offender’s (Details furnished) parole request file from his department’s Correctional Services Parole Board (CSPB) chairperson; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether he has considered the specified offender’s request for parole; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date(s) and (b) what were the outcomes; (3) why did (a) he and/or (b) his department’s CSPB deny the specified offender’s previous requests for parole during the period 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013, even though the specified offender (i) qualified for parole after serving 13 years and four months of the imposed life sentence which commenced in 1999 and (ii) completed all the requisite programmes?
Reply:
- Yes, the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board considered the mentioned offender and his profile report was received by Head Office during September 2015 and submitted it to the National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS). As soon as the recommendation of the NCCS is available, it will be submitted to the Minister for consideration.
(2)(a) & (b) See (1) above.
(3)(a)&(b) The offender was not denied to be considered for possible parole placement by the (a) Minister and (b) Correctional Supervision and Parole Board.
(3)(i) & (ii) Parole applications are submitted in accordance with and in compliance to section 42(2) (d) of the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998, as amended. Amongst others, during the said period the offender did not participate in Victim Offender Dialogue and the Department in collaboration with the offender was in the process of tracing his victims. Furthermore, his support system was also not positively confirmed.