Balfour: More jails not answer

2005-09-05 20:44

Cape Town - More jails are not the answer to overcrowding at correctional facilities, says Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour.

In response to Democratic Alliance MP Wilhelm le Roux, he said: "While the department does not necessarily dispute the fact that the acquisition of more cell space would ease congestion in our correctional centres, it should be appreciated that the problem of overcrowding cannot be addressed by building more prisons and providing more buildings.

"A major contributing factor to our overcrowding is the number of awaiting-trial detainees in our centres.

"Out of a total of 188 000 inmates there are about 55 000 awaiting-trial detainees.

"Our 241 correctional centres have bed space for 110 000 inmates.

Taking awaiting-trial detainees away from our centres would then create more space for our sentenced inmates."

Diversion sentencing

The justice, crime prevention security cluster has resolved to tackle the problems facing awaiting trial detainees, he said.

"It is important to note that magistrates do not use diversion sentencing that would effectively lead the offender away from prison sentences."

The minister said: "It must be emphasised there is a huge role for all communities in South Africa to reduce the prison population.

"Dysfunctional families are continuing to spew their family members into our jails and they are bursting at the seams at the moment.

"It is hoped the construction of the new-generation prisons beginning in this financial year will greatly assist in reducing our inmate population."

He said remission of sentences also would reduce the prison population.

- I-Net Bridge (News24)