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Progress: Implementation of Correctional Supervision and Parole Board Johannesburg. Building a caring correctional system that truly belongs to all. Presentation to Port Folio Committee 5 September 2006. INTRODUCTION. I am Vincent Jones Johannesburg Management Area is served by two Boards
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Progress: Implementation of Correctional Supervision and Parole Board Johannesburg Building a caring correctional system that truly belongs to all Presentation to Port Folio Committee 5 September 2006
INTRODUCTION • I am Vincent Jones • Johannesburg Management Area is served by two Boards • There are a total of 6075 sentenced offenders in the Area
Composition of the Board Board A • Chairperson : Mr Vincent Jones • Qualification :Masters in Theology • Vice Chairperson : Mr SAJvdM Venter • Qualification : BA Social Sciences • Service in DCS : 36 years • Secretary : Mr MS Makanyane • Qualification : Senior Certificate • Service in DCS : 15 years • Community member : • Mr MV Nkuna • Vacant post • Vacancies – reasons for vacancies • 1 Community member – not yet appointed
Composition of the Board Board B • Chairperson : Ms MT Mokhobo • Qualification :Honours Degree in Social Work • Vice Chairperson : Vacant • Secretary : Mr M Bond • Qualification : Diploma in Correctional Services Management • Service in DCS : 12 years • Community members : • Mr TP Msibi • Ms MI Mashatja • Vacancies – reasons for vacancies • 1 Vice Chairperson – not yet appointed
OPERATIONS • Case load per month for the past year : • Board A : 80 per month • Board B : 25 to 30 per month • Total for the past year : • Board A : 714 • Board B : 447 • Numbers placed on [combined statistics] • Parole 437 • Day Parole 0 • Correctional Supervision 42 • Medical Parole 12
OPERATIONS • Number of cases special remissions of sentences approved : 9 • Summary of reasons : Acting meritoriously; Protection of officials from attack; Providing important information to combat corruption; Information regarding escapes • Periods of remission approved : 3 months for any kind of information; 12 months to save an officials life; 12 months for exposing corruption.
METHODOLOGY Procedure that the Board follows • Full sitting of no less than 45 minutes • Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, two Community Representatives, SAPS Representatives, Admininistration Clerk, Offender’s Representatives, Unit Manager/Work Supervisor, Vocationalists, Offender • Format : Welcome, Introduction, Purpose, Verify information, Presentations by representaives [family/SAPS/ victims/vocationalists] Presentation by offender, Questions by members of board, Offender and non-board members leaves room, Board decides either by consensus or by voting to grant placement or a further profile date , Offender and non-board members called back and informed of the decision.
METHODOLOGY Information that is relevant/ needed for decisions • C.M.C. Recommendation • Rehabilitation programs • Social Worker’s report • Offender’s presentation • Section official’s report • Educationalist report • Psychologist report • Religious report • Family/NGO’s • SAPS 62 report on crime committed
METHODOLOGY Roles of the various parties • C.M.C.’s recommends • Social Worker reports on rehabilitation progress • Officials on behavior • Family members on support system if paroled. • SAPS on effect of offender’s release on the community • Community representatives on community acceptance
LESSONS LEARNED What will be done differently/ has been changed in your approach since you started in position? • Requested the full file from C.M.C.’s • Prioritizing medical paroles • Societal responsibility : Involvement • Organizes public information meetings jointly with Community Corrections • We have used public school’s guidance periods to inform learners about parole issues
LESSONS LEARNED • Public’s perceptions • Address public’s misconceptions : Unconditional parole releases Parole placements goes against the decision of courts
CHALLENGES • Social Worker’s Programs: JHB 10 Social Workers for 6000 sentenced offenders. At times this shortage hinders rehabilitation. • Sentence plans; not implemented yet in some Centers • Sentence remarks from Courts • Board rooms • Day parole facilities
Thank you Building a caring correctional system that truly belongs to all