Development of offenders - DCS-Home

3.2 Report by the Accounting Officer to the Executive
Authority and Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
1. General review of the state of financial affairs
Department of Correctional Services - Vote 21
Report of the Accounting Officer
for the year ended 31 March 2012
1.1 Important policy decisions and strategic issues facing the department
The implementation of the Correctional Matters Amendment Act (Act 5 of 2011) will require focused attention by the
department. The basic Information Technology Communications Infrastructure renewal is meant to improve systems,
resourcing and optimum utilisation of information and serious attention should be paid to this area. The Remand
Detention branch will deal with difficulties associated with this population, such as security, human resources and
overcrowding, hence structures, systems and processes will have to be developed urgently to facilitate the effective
functioning of the branch.
1.2 Comment on significant events that have taken place during the year
On 26 September 2011 the Minister of Correctional Services launched Corrections Week when she hosted the media
for a media tour of Zonderwater Correctional Centre. The tour was aimed at creating greater awareness and understanding
of correctional matters among the media. Corrections Week in the 2011/12 financial year focused on the
importance of reintegration of offenders into the community. All the efforts done to correct offending behaviour and
to prepare offenders for a meaningful and self-sustaining life after placement on parole are fruitless if communities are
not prepared to give them a second chance. In a hostile environment and with no support system and income there
is a great likelihood that offenders will revert back to crime to sustain their lives. Preventing re-offending is one of the
key objectives in trying to reduce the level of crime in the country and to make communities a safer place.
The first day of Corrections Week coincided with Africa Corrections Day. South Africa has been at the forefront of
the continent’s initiative to bring together corrections and prison systems to address common challenges in ensuring
public safety. A further aim of having a continental perspective on corrections is the establishment of an environment
that is conducive for the citizens of this continent, especially its vulnerable groups such as women and children. South
Africa plays an instrumental role in charting the future of the African Correctional Services Association (ACSA). This is
illustrated by the fact that South Africa was unanimously elected to serve a second term as the secretariat of ACSA
in 2010.
On 28 September 2011 the Minister further strengthened the relationship with communities when she engaged with
the people of Soweto at the Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto. During interactions with the public, parolees
complained about stigmatisation and being shunned by potential employers because of their criminal records. Others
said it was more difficult to function in the community than to survive in custody because in a correctional centre
they were guaranteed meals and shelter. Of grave concern was the fact that government expects the business sector
to employ ex-offenders while the government itself discriminates against them because they have a criminal record.
Mothers whose children are incarcerated raised concerns about the limited visitation time and that there were inconsistencies
about this between different centres. Some mothers complained that their children were not treated
humanely.
In response, the Minister told the community that they must recognise that officials are also their children and therefore
their wellbeing must also be considered, not only those of the offenders. “Officials are stabbed by offenders as
part of their sick initiation. Not all officials are corrupt, abusive. We have committed members who sacrifice their family
time to care and develop these offenders,” she said in defence of her committed officials.
Commending a parolee who has started a shoe making business despite financial challenges, the Minister said, “We
need the Vuku’zenzele (self starter) type of parolees, people who can take initiatives to better their lives. We want
to start a project to deploy skilled ex-offenders to go back to correctional facilities to reinvest their skills by teaching
other offenders.”
The President of the Republic of South Africa officiated at the launch of the Gallows Museum on 15 December 2011.
The Electronic Monitoring of Parolees and Probationers 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.
The Minister of Correctional Services announced the Medical Parole Advisory Board on 23 February 2012.
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