Mpho Mathabathe: Researcher Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services

1. Analysis of SONA (2010) Mpho Mathabathe: Researcher Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services

2. Introduction • The State of the Nation Address did not identify any specific issue with regard to DCS • However, the address identified a core outcome for the CJS which is to ensure that everyone in South African feel safe and is safe. • Key output includes, reduction of serious and violent crime, ensure an integrated justice system and manage crime perception • Issue identified which are cross cutting and relevant to DCS includes, eradication of corruption and fraud and investment in youth to ensure a skilled and capable workforce

3. To feel safe and be safe REDUCE SERIOUS AND VIOLENT CRIME More than 36000 young people between 18-25, 880 under 18 and 1142 women are in correctional centres for serious and violent crimes 21 318 youth (18-25),481(under 18) and 1045 (women) are serving prison term for serious and violent crimes.

4. To feel safe and be safe (cont.) • REDUCE SERIOUS AND VIOLENT CRIMES • In 2008/09, 60 543 offenders participated in corrections programmes • By 2011/12 only 13 310 offenders would be having sentence plans against 81 181 offenders sentenced for serious and violent crimes • DCS is not doing enough to win the fight against serious and violent crimes • Targets for sentence plans are low and many offenders are not participating in any correctional programmes

5. To feel safe and be safe (cont..) • ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE AND INTEGRATED JUSTICE SYSTEM • In 2008, government saw a need to transform and revamp the CJS • Again the 2009 SONA announced the establishment of a transformed, integrated, modernized, properly-resourced and well-managed CJS • DCS tasked with responsibility of establishing ATD Branch • In July 2009 a concept document was drafted and canvassed to JCPS cluster for inputs • DCS completed the minimum facility standard for dedicated remand facilities

6. To feel safe and be safe (cont..) • MANAGE CRIME PERCEPTION • One of the key output in ensuring that South Africans are safe and feel safe is to manage crime perception • Responsibility of DCS is safe custody of offenders by among others, preventing escapes • 79 escapes (2007/08) and 65 (2008/09) • Unacceptable high level of escapes makes South Africans not to be safe and not to feel safe • Victims should feel that they are an important stakeholder in Administration of Justice in South Africa

7. Indirect issues relevant to DCS • ERADICATION OF CORRUPTION AND FRAUD • Corruption has devastating effect on poor people especially corruption in the public sector • Corruption costs government millions every year, money that could have been used for service delivery • Corruption has been emphasized in a number of SONA • ANC January 8 statement indicated that corruption will be fought within and outside the state • 2001 appointment of Jali Commission of enquiry to investigate corruption in prisons

8. Indirect issues relevant to DCS(Cont..) • ERADICATION OF CORRUPTION AND FRUAD (cont..) • SIU investigation into large scale procurement in DCS • Procurement in DCS is an area vulnerable to corruption • Corruption in DCS is also committed by senior managers • ANC January 8 Statement indicate that regardless of their positions all involved in corruption will be severely dealt with

9. Indirect issues relevant to DCS (CONT..) • MEASURES TO DEAL WITH CORRUPTION AND FRAUD • Anti-corruption strategy • Establishment of Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigations (The Hawks) • Establishment of Tender Compliance Unit and Supply Chain Fraud Unit • Ministerial task team with the responsibility of developing measures to root out corruption at all levels of the State

10. LESSONS FROM THE PAST Indirect issues relevant to DCS (Cont..) • INVESTMENT IN YOUTH TO ENSURE SKILLED AND CAPABLE WORKFORCE • Young people between 18-25 it’s a category of offenders growing rapidly in Correctional Facilities (White Paper, 2005) • 56 940 young people between 18-25 were incarcerated in Correctional Centers (by end of Dec 2009) • 24 070 awaiting trial and 32 870 sentenced for various crimes • Even after serving lengthy sentence, young people still have a chance to make something of their lives (White Paper, 2005)

11. Indirect issues relevant to DCS (Cont..) • INVESTMENT IN YOUTH TO ENSURE SKILLED AND CAPABLE WORKFORCE (Cont..) • Successful rehabilitation of youth depends on DCS ability to provide education and training in various trades • Programme Development is relevant • 2009/10 only R448 million allocated to Development • Challenges for DCS includes shortages of Artisans, Educators and other professional to train offenders • Speedy and proper implementation of OSD will go a long way to attract scarce skills

12. Implications for Parliament • Parliament should monitor budget allocation to ensure that it is in line with these important objectives of government • Parliament should encourage the department to use resources effective and efficiently. This include using new facilities to provide better services to young offenders. • Parliament should monitor the department’s implementation of the recommendation of the SIU through regular report back • Parliament should raise the issue of victim’s involvement in Parole hearings with DCS

13. Thank You • Parliament should act faster, harder and smarter