Committee Report on Oversight Visit to Gauteng Prisons: adoption

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
3 November 2006
COMMITTEE REPORT ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO GAUTENG PRISONS: ADOPTION

Chairperson: Mr D Bloem (ANC)

Documents handed out
Draft Committee Report on Oversight Visit to Gauteng Prisons

SUMMARY
The Committee considered its Report on its oversight visit to the Gauteng prisons, and effected certain amendments. The amended Report was adopted. The Report would soon be placed in the ATC.

MINUTES
Ms Z Nawa (ANC) wished to add a statement in section F of the Report entitled “Mother with Babies” that would reflect the moving gesture made during the visit in the form of a teddy bear on which was written ‘Take Me Home’

The Chair noted that the Committee agreed.
 
Mr N Fihla (ANC) raised the need to address the issue of overcrowding in prisons. He proposed, as a possible solution, the relocation of those female inmates who do not pose a threat to the public to other secure correction facilities.

The Chair noted that the Committee agreed with the suggestion, and proposed the following recommendation: “the Portfolio Committee recommends that the Justice Cluster must look for alternative accommodation for female inmates who do not pose harm to society as a matter of agency to alleviate the problem of overcrowding.  Such females can be detained in secure facilities.” It was also decided that a similar statement be included to apply to children aged 14 and younger.
 
Mr Fihla stated that in his view the issue of the phased in 7-day establishment for overtime, as dealt with in the section of the Report entitled “Staff Concerns”, was not a financial concern but instead one related to manpower. He suggested that overtime be done away with, and that the recruitment of more officials was a better solution.

The Chair and the Committee agreed with Mr Fihla that that needed to be inserted, as follows: “The committee agrees that to address the issue of overtime more staff be recruited.”

Ms W Ngwenya (ANC) asked what the Committee proposed regarding the preparation of inmates for the outside world, and for successful re-integration into society.

The Chair noted that the Committee agreed and proposed the inclusion of the following statement at the end of the section entitled “Intersectoral Communication”: “The Portfolio Committee recommends that a community structure must be set up with all relevant stake holders to monitor the integration of offenders on parole.”

Mr E Xolo (ANC) asked how the Committee would ensure that its recommendations were in fact implemented.

The Chair responded that the Committee would monitor all its past recommendations and check which have been implemented, and would also indicate the Committee’s success rate with regard to such implementation.

In conclusion, the Chair noted that the Committee adopted the report, with the amendments.

The meeting was adjourned.