SA prisons now exceed capacity by 60,000+

The South African Prisoners' Organisation for Human Rights (SAPOHR) calls on the Correctional Services Department to take accountability for the severe overcrowding in prisons nationwide. 

On Monday, the Department confirmed a capacity of more than 170,000 inmates, exceeding the approved capacity of 107,000 beds.  

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SAPOHR president Miles Budu said the situation is not only unhealthy for the system but also compromises the safety and security of both staff and inmates.

“It is not only overcrowding, but also the revolving door that is the biggest challenge that the Department faces.

“It is contributing to violence, to instability, and it makes a mockery of the mandate of the Department of Correctional Services.”

Budu said nine recommendations were submitted dealing with the overcrowding in 2015 during a national conference for ex-offenders, but none were implemented.

This included partnering with ex-offenders and civil society to provide rehabilitation programmes and educating communities about restorative justice.

He added that it was important to address the root causes of crime and invest in rehabilitation and reintegration to prevent people from becoming repeat offenders.

“Until such time that the Department of Correctional Services goes back to these recommendations, we as an organisation will keep on holding them squarely and fairly accountable,” he said.

To listen to Budu in conversation with 702 and CapeTalk’s Africa Melane, use the audio player below: