Prisoners organisation calls for more releases by correctional facilities

The South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights (SAPOHR) have urged the government to broaden the scope of planned early releases.

The group feels that governments current criteria are too strict and are, in fact, discriminatory.

SAPOHR call for the release of 38,000 prisoners

To prevent the spread of the virus in prisons and ease overcrowding which contributes to an unsanitary environment within correctional facilities, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised parole of at least 19,000 inmates earlier this week.

The decision has drawn a mixed response with many opposed to the decision despite governments insistence that only non-violent offenders would be released.

SAPOHR spokesperson Golden Bhudu says the outlined criteria for early release is too narrow and the government should be looking to release at least double the proposed 19,000.

Bhudu insists that there are prisoners who do not pose a threat to society who will not be released and that many of these people are currently a burden to the state, as they are terminally ill and receiving treatment in prison.

The prisoners’ organisation would also like correctional services and the parole system to take a closer look at prisoners who could be incarcerated as a result of a wrongful conviction.

“The president must be reminded that there are terminally ill people in prison who are a waste of taxpayer’s money. These people must be considered. 

“There are people who have never committed these crimes, but because they don’t have the money to afford the best lawyers in the country.”

As things stand, 78 prisoners have tested positive for COVID-19 while 99 members of staff at correctional facilities have had infection confirmed.

Justice Minister Ronald Lamola is satisfied that outbreaks at smaller correctional facilities have been easily contained but admitted that larger facilities such as Johannesburg prison, Pollsmoor in Cape Town or Westville prison in Durban posed significant challenges to testing. COVID-19 protocol enforcement at such massive facilities is a significant issue.

The official capacity of South Africa’s prison system is roughly 118,572 according to data gathered by the World Prison Brief in 2019. Currently, more than 154,000 people are incarcerated in 235 Correctional Services facilities across the country.

It is estimated that nearly a third of those imprisoned are awaiting trial, with many languishing in cells for years before getting their day in court.

Concerns over the release

There are concerns that the large scale parole of prisoners could lead to a drastic spike in crime given the lack of employment opportunities in South Africa at this time.

“Too often, we see released parolees left destitute in the towns of the prisons in which they were released,” Western Cape Community Safety Minister Albert Fritz said. 

“Often, they have no home to stay in and are left on the streets, tempted to return to a life of crime. We have seen horrific crimes being committed by those released on parole, and we cannot allow this to happen again.”