Partnership for Addressing Prison Overcrowding in South Africa
According to the International Centre for Prison Studies, the South African prison population was at 139.9% of capacity in 2009. Overcrowded prisons pose several difficulties for South Africa – and any country facing a similar problem – they are hard to control and they increase the negative impact on prisoners’ ability to make pro-social decisions upon release from prison. In response to the growing overcrowding problem, PF South Africa joined with several other concerned organisations and individuals to form the National Initiative against Overcrowding in Prisons (Initiative).
Led by Supreme Court Judge Eberhardt Bertelsmann, the Initiative draws together representatives from non-governmental organisations, the courts, Correctional Services, Police and other agencies to share information on the situation, possible solutions, and accomplishments. For example, at a recent meeting of the National Committee, the Correctional Services representative reported on the proposed create of a branch to manage the “Awaiting Trial Population,” and an initiative to enable bail protocols to move pre-trial detainees out of prison. The committee also discussed the progress on applying provisions from the new Child Justice Act that will create alternatives for juvenile offenders and pilot projects implementing alternatives to custodial sentences for adults.
According to Douw Grobler, PF South Africa executive director, the Initiative used awareness raising to motivate groups to pressure the government into the release of approximately 16,000 prisoners who could not afford to pail bail or fine of R1,000 ($135 US) or less.
April 2010
