A. Introduction

The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services decided that it would undertake an Oversight visit to the Private Prisons on 04 August 2005 and on 18 August 2005.

B. Delegation

The following members of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services were part of the delegation.

• Mr. DV Bloem (ANC) (Chairperson)

• Ms. LS Chikunga (ANC)

• Mr. NB Fihla (ANC)

• Mr. S Mahote

• Ms. MW Makgate

• Mr. MS Moatshe (ANC)

• Mr. MJ Phala (ANC)

• Mr. LJ Tolo (ANC)

• Mr. ET Xolo (ANC)

• Ms SA Seaton

C. Objectives

The objectives of the visit were to:

• Functionality: The Committee wanted first hand knowledge of how the private prisons operated. The Committee wanted to understand what security measures the prisons have in place and to ascertain the programmes offered at these institutions and the effectiveness of rehabilitation.

• Interactions: The Committee wanted to interact with the inmates incarcerated at the private prisons to find out what problems they experience, successes of the institution and to find solutions to the problems.

• Correctional Services Act: The Committee wanted to establish whether the institution complies with the requirements of the Act.

D. Findings

The following are the findings and recommendations of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services:

1.1 Background

The Kutama Sinthumule prison was named after two traditional leaders of the area of Makhado. The prison is being managed by the South African Custodial Management (SACM) under the directorship of Mr S Korabie. The Department of Correctional Services has awarded a twenty five (25) year contract to SACM.

The Kutama Sinthumule prison is the second largest in the world and has 3024 bed spaces. A total number of 550 staff members, previously unemployed and from the local area, are employed at the prison.

The focus of the facility is to set a benchmark for Correctional Services on this continent. The facility has received many awards for its effectiveness.

The facility is divided into three (3) prisons. Two (2) of the prisons accommodate 1152 inmates and the other accommodates 720 inmates. The prisons are also colour coded and inmates wear blue, green and yellow uniforms. Each prison is divided into distinct sub units e.g the Blue prison is divided into three (3) sub units. Each sub unit is divided into 4 blocks and the head of the block is called the Unit manager. The facility holds many inmates with long sentences (one inmate serve a sentence of 1100 years + 27 life sentences).

1.2 Security

The facility is a keyless facility where the movement and activities of staff and inmates are monitored and controlled from a central control room. The entrance and exit control systems are highly effective and the efficiency of staff on duty ensures that no one leaves or enters the facility, unless authorized to do so.

All inmates are assessed and vetted when admitted to the facility. Sentences are also verified every twenty four hours. Daily searches are conducted at the facility. Access is controlled with finger print verification. The facility also has an electronic surveillance system. Inmate counts are conducted 4 times daily at 06hOO, 12h00, 18h00 and at 20h00. The facility is patrolled on a twenty four hour basis and staff makes use of equipment called the "zapper snapper", which help staff in staying awake (the equipment makes a noise in the ear).

All staff are briefed on the current security situation in the facility before they start with their duties on a daily basis and they are debriefed after lock-down. A security manager will debrief the staff in the event of normal operations and a psychologist or social worker after a serious incident has occurred.

1.3 Escapes

The facility has had no escapes thus far. The management stated that they consider the human rights and dignity of all inmates. The facility attempts to keep inmates constructively busy.

The facility is monitored by the Department of Correctional Services through a fixed penalty system. A penalty of R 300 000 is given if any escapes or unnatural deaths occurs at the facility. The management can pay up to R 20 000 for breach of service levels, building infrastructure or maintenance problems. The facility can also be penalized for its security environment, cell environment and food services.

This system keeps management on its toes and has up to now received no penalties.

The facility has two (2) permanent doctors, one (1) dentist, one (1) dental assistant, twenty four (24) senior professional nurses, a pharmacist and medical assistant personnel. The facility also has a fully equipped dental room. The hospital has dealt with a number of medical emergencies.

Food services are provided by Royal Foods Correctional Services who have demonstrated their capacity and efficiency to provide more than 9500 meals per day to inmates and staff.

A total of 92 inmates work in the kitchen on four different shifts. The inmates working in the kitchen receive formal training on food and related services. Once qualified, they are rotated to provide an opportunity for others to be trained.

Meal times:

07h15 : Breakfast

12h15 : Lunch

16h30 : Supper

1.7 Staff

The staff component consists of ninety percent (90 %) previously disadvantaged individuals who were recruited locally and through this process contribute to socio-economic upliftment of the staff and the town in general.

All staff have to undergo an annual 40-hour compulsory refresher training programme to provide them with the skills and competencies to face the challenges ahead.

1.8 Black Economic Empowerment (BEE)

The facility complies with all the principles of BEE and it was mentioned that the SACM is an equal opportunity employer and employs a number of disabled individuals. The upliftment of women in society is also a key aspect and a number of female officers were placed in supervisory positions to take care of maximum security inmates.

The rehabilitation and development of inmates form a critical part of the operational management of the facility. The programmes provided by the facility are embedded in a structured day programme, which starts from 06hOO until 18hOO. All programmes that inmates attend ~e specifically designed for his own development. Ten inmates attend a specific programme at a time. The facility has a total number of 35 teachers and 32 social workers.

Programmes and Training:

The following programmes are offered at the facility:

• Educational programmes,

• Spiritual Care - many religious leaders offers spiritual programmes at the facility,

• Textile training - the uniforms of inmates are manufactured at the facility,

• Motor mechanics - this programme is facilitated by an inmate. Many tools are used during the programme, but tools are locked away in a cabinet specifically made for it. Routine checks on tools are also being done.

• Sport - when inmates return from the sport fields, they must sit on a body chair, which scans their bodies for any strange objects they might have picked up or passed on.

Other programmes offered at the facility includes wood work, horticulture and art programmes. The facility also has a fully equipped laundry which is run by the inmates. The fully equipped gymnasium and computer room, assist in keeping inmates busy.

The facility is a cashless prison and things bought at the kiosk are deducted from monies in the inmates' trust account. Inmates are allowed to make phone calls only on Saturdays and Sundays. An inmate can register up to ten (10) numbers that he will use. Each phone call is recorded. Inmates can purchase airtime vouchers to make their calls and this is also debited to their trust accounts.

(i) Though each housing unit has a grievance box, the inmates complained that their grievances are never attended to. Inmates are also scared to register their complaint with their Unit managers, as they fear victimization at the facility.

(ii) Many of the inmates complained that they are very far from their hometowns e.g. Cape Town or Durban and therefore never get family visits or even correspondence from home. They apply for transfers, but this never materializes.

(iii) Though the Committee was informed that the facility has two full time doctors, many inmates complained that they only see the doctor a month after registering their complaints. Medication is not easily obtainable and inmates often do not receive the required medication.

(iv) The inmates stated that they do not have enough clothing such as socks.

2. Mangaung Private Prison

2.1 Background

The Mangaung Private Prison situated in Bloemfontein is managed by a . company called GSL Correction Services. The facility has bed space of 3000 and at the time of the visit accommodated 2928 inmates.

GSL Correction Services manages the facility through Unit management, Sentence management, Direct supervision, Personal Officer Scheme and relaxed regime. GSL is in partnership with Liberty Adult Education as a benchmark for ABET portfolios.

The prison consists of six (6) housing units, which provide 488 available prisoner places. Each unit consists of eight (8) streets and provides sixty four (64) available prisoner places per street.

The Department of Correctional Services has awarded a twenty five (25) year contract to GSL.

The facility has two permanent doctors who are on duty twenty four hours, 18 professional nurses, 10 social workers and two psychologists employed by GSL and two psychologists from Afrox renders services to inmates.

Training and development must be planned, monitored and measured otherwise it stands little chance of adding value to the company and the skills and knowledge of the employees. GSL Correction Services recognize that the training and development of employees is an important element in providing a quality service to customers. Training, development and skills broadening are often used interchangeably, but they are different and meet different needs.

GSL is committed to training at all levels with the emphasis of life long learning and satisfying contractual obligations. The outcomes for education and skills development for the facility can be summarized as follow;

(a) Improvement of the quality of life of employees and their prospect for mobility.

(b) Improvement in the productivity and delivery of quality assured prison service.

(c) The encouragement of employees to participate in the active learning environment of GSL.

(d) The provision of the opportunity to gain work experience to be multi -skilled.

(e) Bursaries were awarded to 40 employees to further their studies.

Training and development programmes:

The following training and development programmes are offered to employees;

Refresher training, life skills training, diversity training, personal financial planning, time management, hostage training, computer literacy, stress management as well as a health and safety empowerment programme.

2.3 Inmate Care and Empowerment

All inmates are assessed to determine which courses they qualify for.

(a) Education

An average of 503 inmates attend daily education programmes such as ABET Level 4, Grade 12 and PET.

(b) Vocational Training

An average of 308 inmates attend vocational courses daily. At the vocational training centre inmates are provided with skills training, which can be utilized upon release. The service providers from the community assess these training courses.

Vocational Training courses include:

Basic tool skills, office machine operator, home care, vegetable propagation, leather work, wood skills, cleaning services, gardening maintenance, basic business skills, candle making and garment making.

The vegetables produced in the horticulture gardens are donated to the community (1074 bags - 29 tons since opening). Training on sustainable gardens is also presented to community groups.

Clothing that was made in the tailoring workshop were donated to the homeless children in Bloemfontein.

(c) Social Work programmes

520 inmates are involved in case work per month and 100 groups per month attend inmate development programmes.

Programmes that are provided can be categorized as follows;

• Offending behaviour: Sexual offenders treatment programme, Substance abuse treatment, Intermediate treatment programme and homicide.

• Development programmes: Life skills, stress management,anger management, social skills, induction counseling,RN/AIDS treatment.

• Prevention programmes: HIV/AIDS prevention, substance abuse prevention, release preparation and good citizenship.

(d) Community Projects and Programmes

The community are also very involved in programmes offered to inmates e.g. crime prevention project, prevention of violence against women and children and the NICRO arts project.

(e) Religious Care

An average of 336 inmates takes part in religious care programmes per day.

Religious activities include; Religious orientation, Church and Faith services, Prayer meetings, Choirs, Counselling individuals and Counselling groups.

(f) Library Programmes

111 Inmates are involved in Library activities per day. The library has active membership of 2824 (99%) inmates. A library advisory committee consisting of 12 inmates and 6 employees assist the librarian. The library trained and certified 12 inmates to facilitate library trolleys in the units. The library activities apart from library visits include;

Book discussions, video discussions, debates and information sessions.

(g) Work activities

2056 inmates are involved in work activities at the prison. Work activities include industries, kitchen, cleaners, grounds, laundry and maintenance.

(h) Other activities

412 Inmates take part in activities daily. These include; Soccer, touch rugby, indoor soccer, badminton, table tennis, gymnasium, aerobic exercises, soft ball, basket ball, board games, art/painting and drawing, drama and debating.

Due to time constraints the Committee could not engage with the inmates incarcerated at the facility, however, the Committee was informed of one inmate who committed suicide whilst in segregation.

The Committee was informed by the management of the facility that all avenues were explored to assist inmates with psychological behavioural problems. The specific inmate had behavioural problems and was then placed in a single cell. The inmate tried various ways of hurting himself and was then placed in the "Silent Room".

This room is only used when it is absolutely necessary. The management also said that an inmate does not stay in the "Silent Room" for more than four hours and regular checks are done. The inmates named this room the " Dark Room" as the lightning of this room are controlled from the outside of this room by the officers. There is only a mattress in the room, but despite this, the inmate hanged himself with his clothes from an iron handle above the door.

The Independent Prison Visitor informed the Committee that this information was forwarded to the Office of the Inspecting Judge and the Office of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, but both of these offices did not receive this information.

The Department of Correctional Services decides who will be incarcerated at Private Prisons. Whilst the facility provides many services and activities, inmates still wants to be transferred. Inmates stated that they needed to be closer to home where they will at least have frequent visits from their families. The Committee was informed that because of the commitment, passion and tight security at these facilities, smuggling, such as the smuggling of substances, does not occur. This is extremely problematic for inmates, especially during the first six months.

(1). The Portfolio Committee strongly recommends that the Private Prisons should accommodate only juveniles, as this environment is more conducive for the development, education, training and rehabilitation of juveniles.

(2). Rehabilitation is the key in preventing recidivism. Whilst the private prisons have many programmes and activities to occupy inmates, family visits are an essential part of rehabilitation. The Committee recommends that the Management of these facilities develop a system where inmates can regularly communicate either in person, telephonic ally or by mail with family members.

(3). The Portfolio Committee request that the co- coordinators of the Department of Correctional Services at the private prisons provide the Committee with quarterly reports on the functioning of the private prisons and any irregulartories that may occur.

(4). The Portfolio Committee recommends that the Prison Directors at Kutama Sinthumule and Mangaung speedily and expeditiously handle all grievances at these facilities.

(5). The Portfolio Committee should be furnished with a report on the unnatural death of an inmate at the Mangaung Private prison and that the " Silent Room" not be used until the investigation is finalized. The Committee expects these institutions to explore all avenues available before placing an inmate in segregation.

(6) The Portfolio Committee commented that the Independent Prison Visitors has a duty to report any irregularities to the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons. If this is not adhered to, the Judicial Inspectorate should take serious action against such employees.

In conclusion, the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services commends the management and staff at the private prisons. The Department of Correctional Services can learn a lot from these facilities, especially in terms of security. Juveniles in prisons always remain the priority of the Committee and the Committee will ensure that juveniles benefit from these facilities rather than adults with extremely long sentences. The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services will monitor these facilities to ensure compliance with the Correctional Services Act and the White Paper on Corrections.