GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - Communities already under pressure, dealing with Covid-19 and reeling from the economic impact caused by the national lockdown, face yet another concern: the special parole dispensation announced by the state president.
But the Department of Correctional Services says there is nothing to fear.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on 8 May announced the special parole dispensation in order to alleviate the impact of overcrowding in South African prisons to combat the spread of Covid-19.
Of the 19 000 prisoners eligible for this special parole, only low risk sentenced offenders qualify. The special parole dispensation entails that the minimum detention period of an offender will be brought closer to 60 months, resulting in an early parole date.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) have reiterated that hardened criminals will not qualify.
Set regulations
Kristy Kolberg of the George Herald recently reported that at least 484 offenders would be released on parole in the Southern Cape. The offenders that qualify will serve the remainder of their sentences under the system of Community Corrections. Hence, the released offenders will be subjected to normal parole conditions and no portion of his or her maximum sentence date is being remitted.
Thus, should parolees not adhere or comply to the set conditions, parole can be revoked resulting in them being sent back to serve the remainder of the sentence in prison.
Upon enquiry from the Mossel Bay Advertiser, Bongiwe Dlwathi, head of Community Corrections in the greater Mossel Bay and Hessequa region, did not confirm the exact number of prisoners to be released, but said the bulk would be from the George Correctional Centre.
Sentenced offenders who qualify for special parole, must provide a set of fingerprints and DNA samples for comparison with the SAPS database as a prerequisite for placement. Placement will commence as soon as all Parole Board processes have been finalised and all relevant rehabilitation, as well as pre-release programmes are attended. "The process of releasing the qualifying sentenced category will be concluded during a 10-week process to ensure all outstanding programmes as per individual correctional sentence plan are finalised," Dlwathi said.
As for the current protocol, offenders in correctional facilities are subjected to daily screening and all infection prevention control measures are in place as contained in the DCS standard operational procedures for Covid-19 in line with NICD protocols and guidelines.
"All the necessary PPE's are provided to offenders when attending courts; they also have cloth masks manufactured in our production workshops around the country."
Any suspected to be inffected offenders are quarantined before release, until the Covid-19 status is known. Those who are already under the system of Community Corrections are screened for Covid-19 during the regular monitoring.
Lockdown hits hard
Throughout the lockdown period, Community Corrections have actively created awareness of Covid-19.
During their work among the community, correctional officials were confronted with the struggle of parolees and probationers for food security. "They depend on odd jobs. Some of them have no support system and others were either found living with homeless people or found totally displaced."
During Easter, a parolee in Herbertsdale requested to be sent back to prison. "He mentioned that at least in prison he would get a meal." In going the extra mile, correctional officials reached out to the man in their private capacity.
"It was good to see that he now has a job in his area. He informed the officers that he is grateful that he chose not to go back to prison in April."
The Department of Correctional Services assures the community it will intensify its monitoring operations in collaboration with SAPS.
"The addresses of all the released offenders will be shared with SAPS station commanders. We appeal to community police forums, neighbourhood watches and street committees to join hands in curbing crime.
"Families, the community and the business sector are also urged to support the parolees by giving them a second chance to rebuild their lives by offering them jobs and not stigmatising them. Correction is a societal responsibility."
To report emergencies and bad behaviour, contact Community Corrections (044 690 3740 - office or 082 779 1625 - standby number).
Click here for a list of offenders excluded from the special parole dispensation.
Bongiwe Dlwathi, head of Community Corrections in the greater Mossel Bay and Hessequa areas takes a parolee's temperature.
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