Question NW2443 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
17 July 2023 - NW2443
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Considering that prisons are not equipped to accommodate persons living with disabilities, what is his department’s five-year plan for constructing and making available correctional facilities that accommodate persons living with disabilities?
Reply:
The South African National Standard (SANS 10400-S: 2011) Part S: National Building Regulations, Facilities for persons with disabilities was approved and published during the year 2011.
Although significant progress was made to transform prisons in order to cater for persons living with disabilities, more effort is required to fully comply with the mentioned SANS at all correctional centres. The main objective of the Departmental Infrastructure Plan is to transform prisons into correctional centres conducive for safe and humane rehabilitation and incarceration, and therefore the Department is mindful of the necessity to comply with latest Building Regulations.
During the construction of new correctional centres and during the refurbishment/upgrade of existing infrastructure the implementation of SANS 10400-S: 2011 is a standard design principle as required by the relevant building regulations.
Inmates are incarcerated at appropriate correctional centres in terms of offender profile, classification, disability and physical health condition. Therefore, offenders and remand detainees living with disabilities are placed at correctional centres consistent and suitable in terms of the degree of disability.
The Department is equipped to accommodate persons living with disabilities, subject to the merit of each case and based on the need and availability of required health care services and facilities.
END.