Question NW4219 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
15 December 2022 - NW4219
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)Whether, with the lapse of security identified by his department and the clear obstruction of the department’s procedural security measures, such as regular patrols, frequent searches of cells and the control over objects entering correctional centres, he and his department has found the specified acts as being indicative of their failed attempts to create a secure and rehabilitative environment according to their mandate; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what are the details of the steps that his department has taken to (a) prevent and (b) minimise the negligence of officials to proactively ensure a safe and secure environment which in turn enables the overriding of procedural security measures?
Reply:
1. The Department has introduced the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Security which was rolled out to all Correctional Centres and cascaded to all officials for implementation.
The following prevention plans have also been implemented in Correctional Centres:
- Contraband prevention Plan
- Bag less society
- Gang Combating strategy
- Plans to counteract Smuggling
- Back to Basics Philosophy and Practice
- Strategy to counteract infiltration of Community based gang into Facilities.
2. (a) Preventative measures are as follows:
- Strict application of resolution 01 of 2006 dealing with disciple of staff
- Searching of officials and all persons at various check points
- Implementation of a bag less society
- Security committee meetings are held on a monthly basis to discuss measures to curtail security breaches.
- Regular visits are conducted by Senior Personnel during the night and day;
- The use of the K9 unit to sniff put contraband
- The posting of EST officials at strategic points
- Use of Body Scanners to enhance searching of inmates, officials and services providers entering and leaving the Correctional Centres
- Regular patrols in and around the Correctional Centres
2. (b) The following are efforts to minimise the negligence of officials to proactively ensure a safe and secure environment which in turn enables the overriding of procedural security measures.
- Basic training of officials
- Development and Implementation of a contraband prevention plan
- Ongoing orientation for staff members and service providers on security information and awareness.
- Visibility of Managers at security posts and Units