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Annual Report
January November 2006
PC on Correctional Services
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Name of Committee: PC on Correctional Services
Chairperson: Mr Dennis Bloem
Committee Secretary: Ms Imogen Davids
Mandate of the Committee:
To assist in building a strong Department that will contribute towards maintaining and protecting a just, peaceful and safe society by enforcing court imposed sentences and detaining prisoners in safe custody. To exercise oversight function over the Department of Correctional services by monitoring the implementation of policy. To report to Parliament on all the activities of the Committee in relation to matters concerning correctional services. To ensure delivery of services to all prisons in South Africa. To stimulate the involvement of non governmental agencies in the delivery of restorative justice programs
Chairpersons overview:
It was an extremely busy year for the Committee and the Committee has achieved a lot. The Committee will vigorously monitor the Department as part of its Oversight function. The release of the Jali Commission report has definitely determined the strategic direction for the Committee for 2007. It is important to do more oversight work, especially International study tours. The Department appeared before the Committee a number of times this year. An issue of concern is the building of New Generation Prisons, some of which was due to be completed during 2006/7. The Committee unanimously agreed that it will call the Department continuously until such time it is satisfied and has received enough information on the different models used for building of prisons. An important intervention was the interaction with the Chairpersons of the Parole Boards and progress of Parole Boards will be monitored. The Committee also had meetings with stakeholders with regard to human rights and privileges of inmates and decided that this needs more interrogation and will be discussed during 2007 as well. The Committee interacted with the office of the Auditor General as well as National Treasury on the Annual Report of the Department. This was very empowering to the Committee and such interactions will be arranged in the coming year. Youth are the Committees core business and the Committee also decided to focus on staff problems. The problem of Overcrowding still remains a serious concern to the Committee as it has and the Committee will assist the Department in relieving the harrowing conditions/ circumstances in prisons. A very useful exercise is that of engaging with NGOs and the important role they play. More support will be given to NGOs.
Department(s) Reporting to the Committee:
The Department of Correctional Services
Entities which the Committee exercise oversight: (list and describe each):
None
1. MEETINGS
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Date of meeting |
Agenda |
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31 January 2006 |
Adoption of minutes, Oversight Reports, Budget of the Committee and the Business Plan |
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01 February 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS on the security breaches at the Zonderwater Correctional Centre. Briefing by the Department of Public Works on the building of New Generation Prisons. |
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07 March 2006 |
Committee meeting: Preparation for the Budget Hearings of the DCS |
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09 March 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS on its 2006/7 Budget and on the 2006/7 2010/11 Strategic Plan |
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15 March 2005 |
Budget Hearings |
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16 March 2006 |
Budget Hearings |
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24 March 2006 |
Formal deliberations and assessment of the Budget Hearings |
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29 March 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS on the reprioritising of funds |
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Constituency Period3 April 28 April 2006 |
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02 May 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS on the reprioritising of funds and the PFM |
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18 May 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS on issues emanating from the Budget Hearings |
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19 May 2006 |
Committee meeting: Formal deliberations and adoption of the Committee report on the Budget |
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24 May 2006 |
Briefing by the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons on its 2005/6 Annual Report |
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06 June 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS on the PFM |
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09 June 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS on the fire incidents at the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and the security breaches at the Zonderwater Correctional Centre |
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20 June 2006 |
Briefing by the Minister on the report of the Jali Commission |
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Constituency Period 26 June 28 July 2006 |
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10 August 2006 |
Briefing by the Transactional Advisor on the cost implications of the PFM and the difference and advantages between using the PFM compared to conventional building methods. |
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11 August 2006 |
Briefing by the Open Society Foundation on its Mandate, Functions and relationship with the DCS. |
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15 August 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS on issues emanating from the Project Finance Model Briefings. |
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18 August 2006 |
Formal deliberations on the 2005/6 Annual report of the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons. |
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22 August 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS (i) Social Reintegration Policy, (ii) Offender Rehabilitation Path, (iii) Offender Skills Development Plan. |
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25 August 2006 |
Briefing by the CSVR and SAHRC on the impact of imprisonment on women and children. |
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29 August 2006 |
Briefing by SAPHOR, POPCRU and PSA on the human rights and privileges of inmates. |
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01 September 2006 |
Briefing by the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons on the human rights and privileges of inmates. |
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05 September 2006 |
Briefing by the National Chairpersons of Parole Boards. |
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08 September 2006 |
Formal deliberations on issues emanating from the meeting with the Parole Board Chairpersons. |
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12 September 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS on (i) The status of the HIV/AIDS prevalence survey, (ii) Current initiatives or projects with regard to HIV/AIDS, (iii) Release of the terminally ill on medical grounds |
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19 September 2006 |
Briefing by the DCS on the findings and recommendations of the Eastern Cape Visit report. |
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Constituency period 25 September 09 October 2006 |
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09 13 October 2006 |
Oversight visit to the Gauteng Correctional Services region. |
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17 October 2006 |
Briefing by the Minister on the recommendations of the Jali Commission report. |
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20 October 2006 |
Briefing by National Treasury on Legislative Oversight through Annual reports and a briefing by Committee Researcher on the Analysis of the 2005/6 Annual Report of the DCS. |
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23 October 2006 |
Briefing by the Auditor General and National Treasury on the 2005/6 Annul report of the DCS. |
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24 October 2006 |
Formal Hearings with the DCS on its 2005/6 Annual Report. |
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27 October 2006 |
Joint Meeting with the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Affairs |
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31 October 2006 |
Briefing by the Mangaung Prison Management on Gangsterism and Suicide in prison. |
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03 November 2006 |
Formal deliberations on the report on the Oversight visit to Gauteng. |
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07 November 2006 |
Formal deliberations and adoption of the Committee report on the 2005/6 Annual Report of the DCS. |
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14 November 2006 |
Adoption of minutes. Adoption of Committee Annual Report, Acknowledgement of Jali Report, Briefing by DCS on Eastern Cape Report. |
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2. CANCELLED MEETINGS
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DATE OF MEETING |
AGENDA FOR MEETINGS |
REAS0N FOR CANCELLATIONS |
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27 October 2006 |
Joint meeting with the Select Committee to discus the Annual Report of the DCS |
The Select Committee was unavailable. |
3. LEGISLATION PASSED/CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEES (FINALISED & NOT FINALISED)
The Committee has no Legislation before it.
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TITLE OF BILL |
REFERRAL DATE |
BRIEFING BY DEPT. |
PUBLIC HEARINGS |
DATE CONSIDERED & FINALISED |
ATC DATE |
DATE ADOPTED BY HOUSE |
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4. PAPERS (INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS, PROTOCOLS, REPORTS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE)
No papers were referred to the Committee.
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Paper Referred |
Date of referral |
Date of Consideration by committee |
Date of ATC Publication |
Date of Debate in the House |
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5. OVERSIGHT VISITS/STUDY TOURS UNDERTAKEN (National & International)
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PURPOSE OF VISIT |
COUNTRIES/PROVINCES |
DELEGATION AND STAFF |
DATE |
DATE REPORT ADOPTED BY COMMITTEE |
REPORT ATC
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DATE ADOPTED BY HOUSE |
COSTS |
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To inspect the situation at the Juvenile Awaiting Trial Section of Pollsmoor
To address issues of Overcrowding, the Awaiting Trial detainee population, staff concerns, corruption and to meet with the Intersectoral Justice Cluster
To address issues of Overcrowding, the Awaiting Trial detainee population, staff concerns, corruption and to meet with the Intersectoral Justice Cluster
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Western Cape: Pollsmoor Prison
Eastern Cape : East London King Williamstown Middledrift St Albans
Gauteng: Pretoria Baviaanspoort Leeuwkop Johannesburg
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Mr DV Bloem Mr MA Cele Mr NB Fihla Mr S Mahote Ms W Ngwenya Mr ET Xolo Mr LJ Tolo Mr J Selfe
Mr. DV Bloem Mr. NB Fihla Mr. S Mahote Ms. W Ngwenya Mr. LJ Tolo Mr. ET Xolo Mr. J Selfe
Mr. DV Bloem Mr MA Cele Ms LS Chikunga Mr. NB Fihla Mr. S Mahote Ms ZN Nawa Ms. W Ngwenya Mr. LJ Tolo Mr. ET Xolo
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Tuesday, 13 June 2006
31 July 04 August 2006
09 October 13 October 2006 |
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29 August 2006
03 November 2006 |
01 September 2006
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07 September 2006
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R 1100.00
R 84 903.00
R 109 023.00
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ORG./DEPT INVITED THE COMMITTEE |
MEMBERS/CHAIRPERSON INVITED |
PURPOSE OF EVENT |
DATE OF EVENT |
REPORT SUBMITTED |
DATE ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE |
ESTIMATED COSTS |
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7. CONSIDERATION OF BUDGET VOTES & STRATEGIC PLANS
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BUDGET VOTE NO. |
REFERRAL DATE
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DATE CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE |
DATE REPORT ATCED |
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Correctional Services Vote 20 |
07 March 2006 |
19 May 2006 |
23 May 2006 |
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8. ANNUAL REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENTS AND ENTITIES REFERRED TO COMMITTEES
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REFERRAL DATE |
BRIEFING BY THE DEPARTMENT |
PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD |
DATE REPORT ATCED |
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21 July 2006 |
24 October 2006 |
24 October 2006 |
10 November 2006 |
9. WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES ATTENDED
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DATE OF WORKSHOP/CONFERENCE |
PURPOSE |
NAME OF PRESENTERS (IF ANY) |
DATE REPORT CONSIDERD BY COMMITTEE |
ATC DATE |
ESTIMATED COSTS |
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None |
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10. COMMITTEE BUDGETS ALLOCATIONS FOR 2006/07
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ALLOCATED BUDGET |
EXPENDITURE AS AT 23 JUNE 2006 |
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Activity |
Costs |
Balance as at 25 October 2006 |
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R 500.000.00 |
Oversight Visit to Pollsmoor Prison |
R1010.00 |
R 294 738.00 |
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Oversight to Eastern Cape |
R 84 903.00 |
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Oversight to Gauteng |
R 109 023.00 |
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11. APPROVED SPONSORSHIPS TO COMMITTEE OR INDIVIDUAL MEMBER
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SPONSOR |
VALUE |
PURPOSE |
DATE APPROVED BY HOUSE CHAIRPERSON/ PRESIDING OFFICES |
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TITLE OF REPORT |
DATE ADOPTED BY COMMITTEE |
ATC DATE |
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Oversight to the Limpopo Province |
31 January 2006 |
13 March 2006 |
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Oversight visit to the Training Colleges |
31 January 2006 |
13 March 2006 |
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Oversight visit to the Private Prisons |
31 January 2006 |
13 March 2006 |
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Oversight visit to Northern Cape |
07 March 2006 |
18 May 2006 |
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Oversight visit to Durban Westville Prison |
07 March 2006 |
18 May 2006 |
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Report on the Budget 2007/8 |
19 May 2006 |
23 May 2006 |
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Oversight visit to the Eastern Cape |
29 August 2006 |
01 September 2006 |
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Oversight visit to Gauteng |
03 November 2006 |
10 November 2006 |
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13. LIST OF OUTSTANDING /PENDING ISSUES TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE COMMITTEE
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OUTSTANDING MATTERS |
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SUPPORT STAFF:
Committee Secretary: Imogen Davids
Control Committee Secretary: Ben Kali
Committee Assistant: Fungile Bulawa
Secretary to Chairperson: Rene Lawrence
Researcher (Research Unit) Nadia Dollie
COMMITTEE SECRETARY: DATE: .
CONTROL COMMITTEE SECRETARY: . DATE:
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON: . DATE: ..