The Select Committee on Security and Justice embarked on an oversight visit to Pollsmoor Correctional Services Centre to receive a comprehensive introduction to the work of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), its programmes, staffing, provincial challenges, infrastructure, fraud, overcrowding and combatting contraband.
The committee chose Pollsmoor Correctional Services Centre for the oversight visit following a recent TikTok video where a prisoner with a cell phone broadcast all the contraband prisoners have access. Subsequent raids in correctional centres at Goodwood and in Gauteng drew further attention to this matter.
The committee sought a full report from the department on actions being taken to address this issue, consequence management, the plan to address corruption, and a specific programme of action with timeframes.
The committee went on a walkabout of the prison, visiting selected areas starting from the virtual court facility, kitchen, correctional centre clinic, workshop and prison cells. The committee welcomed the briefings it received at each area, saying they provided members of the committee with a unique opportunity to see the work of the department in action.
During engagements, the committee expressed concerns about prison cells that were flooded with water and unoccupied cells that could be used. The committee advised the DCS to involve the municipality and other key role players in its work. A call was made for a Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security Cluster meeting to address the need to improve the processing of remand detainees, as well as releasing funds to roll out more virtual court facilities.
The committee called for appropriate measures for the control of contraband to be enforced at all correctional centres and disciplinary measures and consequence management taken against corrupt officials. The committee also thanked the officials who are working hard in a challenging environment and urged them to continue with that good work.
The committee also called on the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to repair all the damaged infrastructure at the centre. Notwithstanding the challenge of budget limitation, the committee asked the prison management to fill all vacancies, especially posts that concern caring for the needs of all inmates.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Jane Mananiso, told the DCS to showcase the good work that the inmates do at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, which includes beautiful and quality woodwork, steel products and textiles. She said: “We are very impressed by the wonderful work we saw that comes from the creativity of the inmates.”
She added: “We also appreciate the special facilities for mothers and their babies and the beautiful educare facility. The DCS is clearly taking good care of our mothers and babies. We would like to see these good stories translated into all areas of this facility.” She said the committee would like to see more raids conducted at all correctional centres to stop smuggling of contraband in the correctional centres.
