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10 Dec 2010

• Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, announced that an independent team assigned in February 2010 to audit inmates and their condition in 239 correctional centres nationally is expected to submit a final report on 21 December 2010. The panel of independent persons known as the Ministerial Task Team has concluded its visits to all regions and is currently working of its final report for the Minister.
• Addressing stakeholders at a meeting held in Midrand, Gauteng today 10 December 2010, Minister Mapisa-Nqakula said the department has prioritised the building of partnerships to advance the complex work of the department. Minister Mapisa-Nqakula said the department still faces a number of challenges that are prioritised by the executive management for resolution.
• She announced the following plans and urged stakeholders to hold hands with the department to help realise these ideals:
• Introduction of compulsory education for all juveniles of school going age with effect from January 2011 as part of the solution to life serving inamtes leaving correctional services after 20 years with.
• Dedication of some morden correctional centres for incarceration of women to aleviate the problem of illequiped centres currently incarcerating woman.
• Strengthening of support for parolees to help them re-integrate successfully.
• Mobilisation of stakeholders to fully participate in parliamentary hearings on the proposed Correctional matters Amendment Bill that covers matter of medical parole and management of remand detainees.
• Introduction of electronic monitoring of parolees to help reduce among others high levels of abscondment and overcrowding of centres.
• Strengthening of communication in all respects in order to build public confidence in the correctional system of the country.

The minister also thanked stakeholders for their contributions in improving delivery of correctional services and called upon all stakeholders to build on the achievements made to make South Africa safe for all. She made the call after expressing concerns about the society's reluctance to embrace the new direction of correctional services outlined in the White Paper approved in 2005.

The meeting resolved to collectively ensure a successful two day summit of correctional services stakeholders in February 2011 where substantive matters of policy, strategy and programmes will be thrashed out.

Enquiries:
Sonwabo Mbananga
Cell: 082 045 3963

Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304

Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
10 Dec 2010

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