Sara-Jayne Makwala King16 October 2024 | 12:56

SA prisons buckling under overcrowding crisis

Following a recent inspection, the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has given the Department of Correctional Services a deadline to address the challenges at Modderbee prison.

SA prisons buckling under overcrowding crisis

Picture: Pixabay.com

Bongani Bingwa is joined by Kgomotso Ramolobeng, Chairperson of the Correctional Services Portfolio Committee.

Listen below

Must do better.

That's the assessment of Gauteng's prisons, many of which are bursting at the seams due to overcapacity.

The Portfolio Committee on Correction Services recently carried out oversight visits to various facilities.

The Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald has managed to clear a significant backlog in parole hearings for those handed life sentences, but it's the tip of the iceberg.

Ramolobeng says the 5 372 capacity Modderbee Prison in Benoni is by far the worst when it comes to poor conditions.

Moreover, it's a facility which is designed to hold around half of that number.

"Modderbee is supposed to hold around 3 000."
Kgomotso Ramolobeng, Chairperson - Correctional Services Portfolio Committee
"It has serious dilapidated infrastructure. Bad, bad, bad conditions, to the extent that the kitchen has been closed. The kitchen now operates in Boksburg Correctional Facility 20 kilometres away."
Kgomotso Ramolobeng, Chairperson - Correctional Services Portfolio Committee

And that's not all.

Medical facilities at the prison are also below par, says Ramolobeng.

"The hospital is bad, there is just a waterfall inside the facility, which carries a very, very bad smell and that hospital houses around 40 inmates that need care."
Kgomotso Ramolobeng, Chairperson - Correctional Services Portfolio Committee

Ramolobeng says the number of undocumented foreign nationals has exacerbated the pressure on correctional facilities.

"If you calculate 2 912 of foreign population of inmates in that facility, [they make up] around 55% [of the prison population]."
Kgomotso Ramolobeng, Chairperson - Correctional Services Portfolio Committee

Following its recent inspection, the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has given the Department of Correctional Services three months to address the challenges at Modderbee prison.