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24 August 2005

On 18 August, Correctional Services Commissioner Linda Mti launched the Trauma Centre at the Drakenstein Correctional Centre (previously known as Victor Verster) in the Western Cape.

The centre is the first of its kind in the Department of Correctional Services, therefore all future trauma centres within the department will be developed and established on the model of the Western Cape Trauma Centre.

Some correctional officials operating at the coalface of service delivery experience more than a fair share of traumatic incidents including deaths, witnessing deaths, stabbings, rape, threats to their lives as well as HIV/AIDS.

Commissioner Mti said the launch of the centre was an essential element in the overall approach to employer-employee relationships within correctional services. “In establishing this trauma centre, we need to understand it in the context of our new strategic approach to dealing with corrections,” the Commissioner said.

He said the centre is open to everyone, those that have to deal with their own shortcomings and inadequacies, but also for those who through force of circumstances, need another opinion or another voice just to put their individual or societal situations into perspective.

The Commissioner said the trauma centre wants to provide members with a service that is both reliable and confidential. “We do not want you to be dealing on your own with difficult situations that threaten to tear your lives apart. We want to be available to offer you support when you need it,” Commissioner Mti said.

Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
24 August 2005
Source: Department of Correctional Services (http://www.dcs.gov.za)