MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) visited the Mossel Bay Correctional Youth Centre as part of Youth Day commemorations this week
JICS is an independent office that facilitates inspections relating to the treatment and the conditions of the correctional centres in South Africa.
The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services promotes and facilitates community involvement in correctional matters through facilitating oversight visits to correctional centres.
The theme of the event was Dare to believe. The programme consists of a "sit-down" with 20 sentenced inmates whereby the different departments explain their role and functions followed by a walk-through and ending in a debriefing session.
Participating stakeholders included the Independent Police Investigation Directorate, the South African Police Services, the Department of Social Development, the Legal Aid Board of South Africa, the National Prosecuting Agency and House Outenikwa, a youth facility in George.
The Department of Correctional Services Southern Cape management area consists of nine centres housing to date, as heard by the delegation attending the event, 3 152, whereas its approved capacity is 1 700. Specialised centres within the management area include the youth centre in Mossel Bay and a centre for females in Oudtshoorn.
Stakeholders addressed the audience consisting of the selected youth offenders on their various roles in the judicial system, firmly keeping the theme of the day in mind in their presentation of their services.
Senior magistrate Xhanti Zeka immediately struck a chord with the young offenders. He reminded the young men of the historical Rivonia Trial and the sentence handed down on 12 June 1964 and said that it paved the way towards a better life for all in South Africa.
The Mossel Bay Correctional Youth Centre, as part of Youth Day celebrations, received a visit from a delegation brought together by the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services, which facilitates oversight visits to correctional centres.
Photo: Johan Pienaar
"That trial meant that people can live a better life in their own country. If you don't seize the opportunity to better yourselves, while in this centre, you not only let those eight men down, you also let your community and yourself down.
"When you have the opportunity to rise up, grab it with both hands."
This sentiment, reminding the young men that they have a responsibility to rehabilitate, reintegrate with society and live constructive lives, was echoed by all the speakers representing different departments.
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