DOD BC REPORT

SUBMISSION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FOR 2005/2006 BUDGET OF DCS

The PSA has noted with concern that despite the slide increase in budget allocation and noting with great concern the consistent threatening circumstances within the prison environment no provision has been made by DCS to honour the agreement entered into with labour on regulating of weekend overtime. We have noted the media reports and the Ministers statements with regard to the Department’s intention to unilaterally introduce a new shift system without allocating more funds or personnel by the 1 April 2005.

We have witnessed in the past month’s the physical attacks which in some instances resulted in the deaths of several correctional officers because of lack of safety in prisons. The issue of overcrowding in prisons has been out cried by our members over the years but all that fell on deaf ears. The PSA has on record on several occasions complained to the department regarding female officials working in male prisons considering the above mentioned but our calls were sidelined at the expense of committed correctional officers trying their level best to make a success story of DCS.

With the above in mind PSA would like to know the following:

How will this budget address the shortage of staff and official vehicles, ect?
How will this budget cater for weekend overtime?
Will this budget compensate for overtime taken by the unilateral phasing in of 7 day, four –shift day establishment? And if so,
Will the budget be enough for a new salary dispensation for DCS over and above the normal PSCBC negotiated increase to compensate for losses in income due to the introduction of a new shift system?
Is there enough money for the employers 2/3 contribution to the medical benefit?