Question NW3467 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
13 October 2022 - NW3467
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)What remedial measures will he and/or his department implement to (a) overcome the systematic parole delays and (b) ensure the strengthening of the parole and monitoring system in order for parolees to adhere to their parole conditions; (2) whether his department has engaged with community members through programmes to secure a partnership with the community as an addition to the monitoring system; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a) The Department has implemented the following remedial measures to strengthen the parole system:
- Ongoing training is provided to the Case Management Committees (CMCs) and Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards (CSPBs) as they are responsible for case management and consideration process. The training focuses on parole policy procedures, decision making tools and calculation of release dates amongst others.
- The CMC compile Correctional Sentence Plan (CSP) for all offenders serving sentences of longer than 24 months. The CSP spell out the interventions proposed to address the needs and risks of an offender that were identified during an assessment of the offender.
- Quality assurance teams were established at the Management/ Regional and Head Office (Directorate Pre-Release Resettlement) to assist with the improvement of the quality of profiles submitted to CSPB, National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS) and the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services for consideration for possible placement on parole.
(1)(b) Monitoring and supervision of Probationers, Parolees and Awaiting Trial Persons (ATP) is a human capital-intensive activity. The day to day monitoring is enhanced through allocation of resources for physical monitoring, office consultation, telephone monitoring where applicable, community service and programme attendance. In 2021/2022 a total of five hundred and eighteen (518) vehicles were allocated to community corrections offices within the regions to ensure successful monitoring in all areas.
The monitoring category for every offender under the system of Community Corrections is determined by the predicted risk of offenders from High (minimum 8 contacts), Medium (minimum 4 contacts) and Low Risk (minimum 2 contacts). Parolees attend sitting either every six months/ frequently depending on their length of their sentence to review their status, behaviour, reclassify or referred for intervention.
The establishment of 219 offices, 57 satellite offices and Service Points for easy access of services contributes positively to the compliance with conditions, ensure visibility and strengthening of the monitoring system.
(2) Yes, an integrated approach at District level and national department enables continuous consultations with traditional leaders, counsellors and relevant department to ensure that they assist the department during reintegration process to accelerate and augment monitoring. Partnerships were formalised with Traditional Councils at each Community Corrections Office, and Traditional Councils offices are used as community service centres, where parolees and probationers render services as part of their conditions of parole. Community establishments such as schools, churches, police stations, and other public spaces are used as service points to enhance the monitoring systems
The Department of Correctional Services has the community reintegration programme in place for networking and social profiling of communities and identification of stakeholders who can assist in the monitoring and supervision of parolees and probationers.
END