Africa-Press – South-Africa. Justice and Correctional Services Deputy Minister Phathekile Holomisa has launched a new life skills programme for awaiting trial prisoners’ self-development and empowerment.
Senior officials attended the launch at the Polokwane Correctional Centre in Limpopo on Tuesday.
There, Holomisa said the department has always offered programmes, such as healthcare, social work and psychological interventions, to awaiting trial prisoners.
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“It has now become necessary that a new programme be rolled out in response to the emerging trends [and] crime patterns…re-orientating those who find themselves in conflict with the law,” Holomisa added.
He said the programme had already been piloted in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape and would be rolled out to all the provinces soon.
On 1 July 2022, there were 944 522 prisoners in 123 facilities across the country. Of those, 46 962 were awaiting trial prisoners.
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Speaking to the media after the launch, Holomisa said overcrowding in prisons and reintegration challenges that released prisoners face required a collective effort in the criminal justice system.
According to Holomisa, sometimes people are held for offences that are so minor, their detention doesn’t do justice at all.
Holomisa said:
“We also need to intensify our programmes of rehabilitation. There are people who are eligible to be released on parole,” Holomisa said.
He added that he believes rehabilitated ex-prisoners should also be given a chance to be integrated into society without criminal records as stumbling blocks.
“We need to educate our people and businesses because there is no law that says people with criminal records may not be employed,” he said.
An awaiting trial prisoner, who preferred to be identified only as Thabo, said he was awaiting trial for a third year and the programme has helped him make smart decisions while in prison.
“My mistakes have caused a lot of tension in my family. I used to be a pillar [for] my family. My wife now has to carry the burden because of my mistakes,” he said.
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