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14 November 2008

Programme director
Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Ms Loretta Jacobus
National Commissioner of Correctional Services Ms Xoliswa Sibeko
Director-General in the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development Mr Menzi Simelane
Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions Adv Mokotedi Mpshe
Members of the extended Executive Management Committee of Correctional Services, other managers and all officials here present
Honoured guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

I am very pleased to welcome everyone gathered at this important event. Corrections Week is a very significant campaign that allows us as a department to have a conversation not only with our immediate stakeholders with whom we work very closely, but the entire South African society so that together we strengthen our efforts to rid this country that we love so dearly of the serious problem of crime.

The department is working closely with other partners in the criminal justice system to implement the National Crime Prevention Strategy which is one of the key programmes of this government; an important tool we are using to fight the unacceptably high levels of crime in our country.

As Department of Correctional Services (DCS) we know that one of the biggest responsibilities is to make sure that we contribute to the reduction of the high rates of crime by helping to break the cycle of crime. This can only be achieved if we intensify our work in rehabilitating the thousands of offenders in all our correctional centres, and for that we need to form new alliances and strengthen those that already exist.

Honoured guests, in all the work that we do we are governed by the White Paper on Corrections which we adopted in 2005, and this important document sets out for us very clear guidelines on how we should execute our tasks and make sure we deliver on our mandate.

Corrections is a societal responsibility

Chapter three of the White Paper clearly identifies corrections as a societal responsibility and that therefore means all our efforts must transcend the narrow view that it is only the government and in this case the Department of Correctional Services that must succeed in delivering on this mandate. This in essence means that all sectors of society have a big role to play perhaps a much bigger role than many of us realise at the moment. This means that families become the most basic and primary unit from which correction should take place, but beyond families; schools; churches and many other community formations must make sure that they are part of the process of changing the lives of those that have found themselves in conflict with the law in order for us to win the fight against crime. We don't believe there is any other way! Contrary to the traditional belief that pure incarceration will demonstrate our strength in fighting crime, I believe strongly that there are different methodologies of dealing with a dynamic and diverse group of offenders entrusted to us by this nation.

Rehabilitation is key

Our guiding document (The White Paper) also tells us that our mandate goes far beyond ensuring safe custody of those who have wronged and hurt many in our societies. Honoured guests we are aware that we may not have full capacity to get to the root of many of the causes of criminal behaviour among the thousands offenders in our facilities.

The history of this country tells us there are many social ills that have given birth to the shocking behaviour of many of brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and even grand fathers and mothers, who end up being incarcerated in our correctional centres. Indeed it cannot be business as usual and then expect to get different results in the delivery of correctional services. The current campaign to promote giving of second chances to rehabilitated offenders who are keen to make the best of what the society has provided, must surely be seen as business unusual. Changing a person's life outlook, belief system, attitude and behaviour is a very complex and difficult task for anyone, but we strongly believe together we can achieve this as the overwhelming majority of our offenders stand a chance to change their ways. That is why we continue to invest in rehabilitation programmes aimed at correcting offending behaviour and circumstances that may increase the propensity to recommit crime on release. We would only record partial and unsustainable victories in the fight against crime if we don't rehabilitate and empower offenders as one measure of reducing chances of re-offending, thus assist in breaking the cycle of crime.

Although they are not enough, our rehabilitation programmes are comprehensive and indicative of the fact that we are serious about correcting offending behaviour for the sake of our country. Among other things they focus on giving basic education to those that may have not been exposed to formal education, vocational training, psychological treatment as well as diagnosis and treatment of problems such as substance abuse. We know that all of these problems that I have raised play a very significant role in encouraging a life of criminality.

The Corrections Week Campaign is in its third year and still growing in many respects. This year our theme is business unusual give a second chance to a rehabilitated offender. Through this theme, we are appealing to members of our broader society to work with and help us by giving another chance to offenders who have paid their dues by serving time in our system. Ladies and gentlemen I am not talking about those fit to be sent to Kokstad our top security correctional centre, but about offenders who have shown remorse and taken responsibilities for their past deeds and criminal activities. I speak of those willing to rebuild their lives and become responsible members of society who make a positive contribution in their communities.

You may have noticed the yellow ribbon is an important symbol in our event today. There is an interesting story behind this symbol and I will summarise it briefly for your interest. This yellow ribbon revolves around a true story of an ex-offender who in the 70's wrote to his wife after years of incarceration seeking assurance that he still has a place in the family upon his release. He then asked his wife to not write back but as a sign that she was willing to take him back she should tie a yellow ribbon on the only Oak tree in the city square. To his relief, as he was being transported to his hometown there was not only one but hundreds of yellow ribbons on the tree which meant there were other members of his community who were pledging to welcome him back into his hometown.

One of the greatest challenges we face as correctional services is that even among those deemed fit for placement on parole by our 52 parole boards nationally, an average of 50 offenders per month cannot be released because of absence of a support system required for effective monitoring after release. Many have no one to place a "yellow ribbon on the Oak tree" in their communities to pledge to welcome them back. With challenges of poverty, disintegration of many family structures and the decline of communal leaving and sharing of responsibilities, we expect this untenable scenario of rejection of rehabilitated offenders to worsen. We believe you hold the key to unlocking their social re-integration.

As a department we have committed ourselves to several programmes that are aimed at ensuring positive results in the reintegration of offenders back into society. Working with our partners in the criminal justice system, and with several non-governmental structures, we are promoting among others Restorative Justice Programmes. These programmes are aimed at promoting healing with the "hand that harmed" playing a leading role, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace in our communities.

Overview of the programme

Programme director, ladies and gentlemen I stand here today to also unveil our programme for the Corrections Week Campaign of 2008 that kicks off in earnest on 21 November 2008. Note that we are having a series of Corrections Week build up programmes across the country. As you can see, the programme marks a celebration of many pockets of excellence that we believe will buoy this institution, notorious for many challenges, to reach new heights in service delivery. I appeal to all to appreciate that the bigger picture remains untenable, but the initiatives we are celebrating this week are a clear indicator of an awakening giant that needs to "shoulder" to stand firm and deliver what South Africans will be proud of.

Our Deputy Minister will lead our celebration of a turn around of health service delivery in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre on 21 November, where we will launch the 17th ARV site within a period of just over two years. The ceremony is just a symptom of an improving scenario nationally.

We believe if God does not build a house, those building it find themselves breaking. Without our spiritual community playing a central role in helping to rebuild many crushed souls in our facilities, all our efforts will be in vain. I am proud to announce that we will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Zionist Christian Church (ZCC) in Moria Polokwane, marking a new road to maximum co-operation in mainstreaming rehabilitation and social re-integration of offenders to our society. Nationally there will be many denominational and inter-faith gatherings that will endorse the message and wear the yellow ribbon to advance "second chances" philosophy.

We will also officially switch on a state of the art security fencing system installed in 47 high risk correctional centres around the country at a ceremony to be held at Zonderwater on the 24 November 2008. This is but one in a series of security interventions we are making to ensure safe custody of offenders and protection of our society.

The rest of the activities are self explanatory. I appeal to each and everyone of you, individually and collectively, lend a hand, wear a yellow ribbon, be counted in the historic mission of transforming delivery of correctional services, and make South Africa a safer society for all including women, children and other vulnerable groups in our society.

May I call up on all of you to stand up and together pronounce our commitment to giving second chances.

Phambili with second chances, Phambili
Forward with the yellow ribbon forward

I thank you.

For more information contact:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304

Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
14 November 2008