Former MP Dennis Bloem calls on government to review Correctional Services Act
The former parliamentarian says this crisis could have been better managed if politicians were willing to come to the party sooner.
Inmates sat in the corridor of the cell block that was raided at the Johannesburg (Sun City) prison on 24 July 2024. Photo: Abigail Javier/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Following an overnight raid at the Johannesburg Central Correctional Facility, the Activist and Citizens' Forum said that the battle to clean up the country's prisons can only be achieved through political will.
Correctional service officials joined hands with members of the South African Police Service to inspect what is commonly known as the Sun City Prison.
During the operation dozens of prohibited items like cellphones, drugs, TVs and gaming consoles were discovered.
The department itself cited a lack of capacity and technology as well as corruption as some of the key challenges.
This comes as it struggles to fight the smuggling of goods into prisons by inmates.
Former chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Correctional Services Dennis Bloem said that a bid to introduce tougher regulations was halted by ministers and civil society organisations.
"We fought daily with the department of correctional services and the minister to tighten regulations. We insisted that televisions, cellphones, laptops must be banned from any prison but there was resistance.
Bloem said that Correctional Service Minister Pieter Groenewald must consider installing cellphone jammers, scanners and metal detectors across all facilities.
He said that there is also a need to review the country's Correctional Services Act for the rights and privileges of inmates, while also letting them do handwork and creating gardens to produce their own food and spend more time out of their cells.
The former parliamentarian says this crisis could have been better managed if politicians were willing to come to the party sooner.
"I believe if there was no resistance then, the problem would not have been so serious now, political will, from the minister of correctional services is much needed.