SA Corrections April08.pdf - Department of Correctional Services

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Commissioner Petersen interacting with some of the foreign nationals who have been displaced. No to public violence By Patrick Thobejane The chilly morning weather of Boksburg was not enough to stop National Commissioner, Vernie Petersen on 25 May from leading by example when he visited victims of the recent xenophobic attacks in Boksburg Management Area. Commissioners from Ghana and Zambia accompanied Mr Petersen as they also did rounds to the Boksburg correctional facility. It was revealed that at that time Boksburg was housing adults, under 2 ’s and three under 8’s who were detained for public violence relating to the xenophobic attacks. After the discussions, the visitors toured the correctional centre. The national commissioner of Ghana, William Asiedu, was impressed with the facilities and said he would like to emulate some of what he had seen. The visit to the victims’ place of safety in Vosloorus then followed. The commissioners from Ghana and Zambia had the opportunity to interact with the foreign nationals who had fled their homes. The visit of the African dignitaries was part of a larger gathering of ten African Ministers I am an African I owe my being to the San whose desolate souls haunt the great expanses of the beautiful Cape – they who fell victim to the most merciless genocide our native land has ever seen, they who were the first to lose their lives in the struggle to defend our freedom and independence and they who as a people, perished as the result. - By the then Deputy President Thabo Mbeki on the adoption of the Constitution Bill in 1996. R E G I O N A L N E W S of prisons/correctional services that met in Pretoria on 0 and May to agree on the formal launch of the continental body, ACSA (African Correctional Services Association). Officials from the Department of Home Affairs gathering data to verify personal details of the foreign nationals Boksburg Management Area has since donated mattresses to the victims and made a daily donation of bread and vegetables. TB training for offenders By Nokuthula Zikhali TB is a leading cause of death for thousands of South Africans each year and many offenders suffer from the disease. Medium B offenders in Westville are seriously engaged in a TB training course offered by the Department of Health. The Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) Supporters Training has been held in Medium B for a week and is aimed at 20 SA Corrections Today Searches ensure safety at Leeuwkop By Isaac Dhludhlu Leeuwkop Medium A Correctional Centre conducted a thorough search after hosting their annual family day for offenders on 2 May. This is in line with the mandate of the department to provide safe and secure custody of offenders. Dagga and sharp knives The safety of inmates compels the department to also effectively deal with the issue of gangs in correctional centres. Gangs have been a feature of the South African correctional system over the past century. Along with the presence of gangs is a level of violence that may endanger the safety of other inmates and it therefore has to be tightly curbed. Gangrelated violence manifests in many ways, such as: • • • • • Gang supported fights Assault and murder forced sexual activity or rape Intimidation and coercion Complicity by correctional officials. These were some of the items that were confiscated by officials on 02 May. This group of offenders from Durban- Westville successfully completed a TB training course. encouraging offenders who are infected with TB to take their treatment correctly and to complete the course.
T H E F O R U M • R E A B U A The Management of Correctional Services values your opinion and is eager to obtain feedback from you on any correctional topic, be it positive or negative. The Forum/Re a Bua therfore provides a platform for staff to share thoughts with colleagues. Address your letters to: The Editor, SA Corrections Today, Private Bag X136, Pretoria 0001 E-mail: estelle.coetzee@dcs.gov.za Letters must be clearly marked for publication in SA Corrections Today. The editor reserves the right to shorten, edit or not to publish any letter. If a pseudonym is used, the full name of the writer and his or her physical address must be provided. I could have been someone Crime, crime, crime I am into crime, I am a criminal Crime does not pay I am now a prisoner serving time Paying the price for my deeds If I had education I wouldn’t be in prison If I had a loving family I would be leading a better life If I had education I would be leading a better life I cannot count numbers But I can count from one to three These are the numbers I know Education is the key to fighting crime Crime is the key to downfall Education is a key to success I caused grief to many families Because of lack of knowledge I caused them great sorrow and misery I can roll a spliff or a zol of matekoane I can hold it delicately and tenderly But I can’t hold a pen or pencil I can read cigarette names But I can’t read A E I O U With an education, I could have been someone I could have been like Balfour, Manuel, Nqcuka, Radebe, Mdladlana or even the President. - By offender George Mhlanga of Losperfontein Correctional Centre [The poem was slightly shortened – editor] R E G I O N A L N E W S Family Day for offenders In partnership with the Department of Social Development, officials in Pietermaritzburg held a family day for offenders recently. It was graced by the presence of the MEC for Social Develop- MEC: Dr M. Radebe, Mandla Mdletshe from Ukhozi FM, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Inmate from Med. A and RC Mr Nhleko ment, Dr Meshack Radebe. He assured inmates of the support of his department towards them from the families’ viewpoint. The Regional Commissioner for KZN, Mr N. Nhleko emphasised the role families play at a primary level where corrections should take place. Helping Hands orphanage Deputy Minister Loretta Jacobus made good on her promise to visit the Helping Hands Orphanage in Paarl recently. Allandale and Drakenstein management areas have established a sound relationship with Helping Hands through assisting the orphanage with food donations and making renovations to the home itself. When the Deputy Minister visited, she pledged ongoing support from the department’s side and sealed it with a donation of vegetables grown by offenders. Ms Pricilla Simons, who heads the orphanage, takes care of 240 HIV/AIDS orphans, some of whom are staying at the home permanently. APRIL/MAY 2008 One of the most moving performances of the day was when inmates demonstrated the Offender Rehabilitation Path and it included information on the White Paper on Corrections. It was an eyeopener to those who were not familiar with all the systems and programmes in correctional centres. Long term serving Inmates from Med. A in PMB awarded by MEC for their good conduct. More than 1000 family members attended the event. Mr Nhleko concluded by urging families not to disown their family members during their term of sentence. Happy enough. AIDS orphans surround Deputy Minister Jacobus (centre with white blouse). To the left is Ms Pumla Mathibela, Deputy Regional Commissioner of Western Cape and Ms Pricilla Simons, head of Helping Hands. Jeremy Matheyse, Area Commissioner of Allandale Management Area is on the right. 2
Page 1 and 2: i n s i d e Deputy Minister’s Bud
Page 3 and 4: Continued from front page Capacity
Page 5 and 6: M A N A G E M E N T N E W S Ministe
Page 7 and 8: M A N A G E M E N T N E W S Ministe
Page 9 and 10: The aim was to address mutual conce
Page 11 and 12: R E H A B I L I TAT I O N Hip jazz
Page 13 and 14: S T R AT E G I C P R O J E C T S 7-
Page 15 and 16: Ex-offenders are doing it for thems
Page 17 and 18: Restorative Justice success By Debb
Page 19: Siyalingana, we are equal By Senteb
Page 23 and 24: Breyton Paulse (in the suit) and fa

SA Corrections April08.pdf - Department of Correctional Services

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