Management of Remand Detainees in South Africa - DCS-Home

information is not provided to the detention institutions. The nature of crime is one of the
dimensions utilized internationally to determine high risk detainees. Detaining institutions
often get information on high risk RDs from newspapers, television and radio stations.
Inadequate systems of identification and verification of SAPS officials who collect RDs daily
for court appearances: There are few reported cases of erroneous releases due to the fact
that RDs were collected by officials who presented themselves as SAPS officials.
Lack of differentiation of various categories of RDs for housing purposes: RDs who are
detained for the first time are housed with repeated offenders who are regular clients of the
CJS system because such information is not provided to detention institutions.
Ineffective system for confirmation of warrants: telephonic confirmation of warrants was
utilized in Johannesburg Medium A where the Head of the facility had to call a certain
number for a confirmation of warrant of liberation. In most cases it was realized that the
telephone number was not official after the release of an RD and when the SAPS officials
came to collect the RD for the next court appearance.
Lack of facilities for capturing and storing cash of RDs. There are RDs who bring large sums
of money with them. There is a tendency to bribe officials to be laxed on policies and this is
also accompanied by threatening of official family members.
Lack of clear disciplinary policies and procedures in DCS: The current disciplinary policies
and procedures were developed for sentenced offenders and there is no clarity on whether
they apply to RDs or not. However the disciplinary systems in SCFs are well developed and
communicated to all children on admission.
Lack of a system that will assist in determination and management of aliases: The current
identification process is the breeding ground for aliases. It is worth mentioning that the
identification system utilized in privately managed SCFs assists in picking up aliases,
however there are no guidelines within the CJS for management of aliases.
Technology related security challenges include the following:
o Limited surveillance system in DCS facilities: Areas such as dining halls, courtyards
and classrooms do not have such facilities.
o Perimeter fences are not effective in some RDFs as they are not linked to control
rooms;
o Inadequate or dysfunctional two-way communication systems;
o Lack of walkthrough metal detectors, X-Ray scanners and panic buttons for staff:
There are RDs who bring their own cell-phones and guns and do not declare these
on admission for safe keeping.
o Lack of special armour plated vehicles for transportation of high risk RDs from the
facility to hospital and for other medical appointments.
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