Development of offenders - DCS-Home

PART 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
to be done by line function branches. The department has showed improvement
in the following areas: reduction of escapes, reduction of overcrowding
and improved conditions of detention, offender involvement in correctional
programmes and the finalisation of the review of medical parole legislation
and regulations. There has also been significant progress with establishing
a Remand Detention System to the extent that the position for Chief Deputy
Commissioner: Remand Detention has been advertised, and on 27 February
2012, I have gazetted (Nr 35071) the establishment of 26 Remand Detention
Facilities country wide and another 109 Correctional Centres which are authorised
to accommodate remand detainees in dedicated sections or units
and in which the Head of Centre must determine such section or unit.
As part of transforming our parole and social reintegration systems, the
Electronic Monitoring of Parolees system was implemented on 14 February
2012. This system will alleviate the challenges of parolees absconding
from the system of community corrections while also reducing the risk of
recidivism. On 24 February 2012, the first Halfway House for parolees was
launched in Naturena (Gauteng Region). This event introduced a whole new
era in the department with regard to assisting offenders with their social
reintegration. Halfway Houses will assist offenders who do not have a fixed
and monitorable address to have a stable home environment.
During my 2009 Budget Vote speech, I announced a review of the Medical
Parole regulatory framework under section 79 of the Correctional Service
Act, of 1998. As a result of this action, the Correctional Matters Amendment
Act (Act 5 of 2011) came into effect in September 2011. The purpose of this
Act is to enhance the effectiveness of the parole system. Aligned to this development
I introduced the Medical Parole Advisory Board on 23 February
2012 to assist in making the medical parole application processes troublefree,
fair and transparent. The DCS will continue to ensure that matters in
correctional services are managed according to these systems and within
the department’s legal frameworks. By so doing the DCS’ quality of services
will continue to improve.
In the financial year 2012/13, DCS will persevere with the transformation
of the business processes, systems and advance the implementation and
compliance with regulatory frameworks. I express my gratitude to the department,
the JCPS cluster, and all the stakeholders of the DCS and JCPS
cluster for their on-going commitments and dedications in making it possible
for us to have collective actions in the fight against crime. I am confident
that together we will continue to improve ways in dealing with crime and
that we will not stop to do so until we are confident that South Africans and
people who live in this country are and feel safe.
As we enter the 2012/13 financial year I have confidence in the support and
commitment from the National Commissioner and his management team to
build and improve on the work that was done in the 2011/12 financial year.
N. Mapisa-Nqakula (MP)
Minister of Correctional Services
Date: 31 May 2012
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
explains the merits of the halfway
house project to a Morning Live
television presenter while some of
the residents of the house listen
attentively.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12 13