INTRODUCTION Imprisonment rates An unprecedented expansion of penal control has occurred in recent decades in diff erent parts of the world. Van der Westhuizen’s report found that 28 cases of suicide were reported across South African prisons. Another potential fix would be to reduce sentences for good behavior. Rule 27 states that: “All prisons shall ensure prompt access to … The thesis further looks and finds in the course of research that, prison overcrowding is a global phenomenon not just peculiar to Nigeria, South Africa and in America. People in detention are particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 outbreak. FIRDAUS KHAN looks at five ways that South African prisons have failed in the ethical treatment of prisoners. For communities, inadequate shelter and overcrowding are major factors in the transmission of diseases with epidemic potential such as acute respiratory infections, meningitis, typhus, cholera, scabies, etc. Prison conditions in South Africa are particularly dire. Remand detainees are people who are awaiting trial or sentencing. DM. However, Polokwane has the most overcrowding at more than 200%. Sexual abuse is a common phenomenon and it is linked to overcrowding rates and understaffing. “The main driving factor behind overcrowding is the remand detainee population,” Clare Ballard from the advocacy organisation Lawyers for Human Rights told Africa Check. The latest data shows that 22 national prison systems hold more than double their capacity, with a … Overcrowding negatively affects prisoners’ mental and physical well-being, particularly when correctional officers have to focus on security to maintain order in densely populated facilities. Overcrowding, suicides, rape and homicide. Obviously, South Africa’s uncomfortably high crime rate is directly related to a burgeoning prison population. The second one is considered to be the biggest super-max prison in the world, with 1,440 places. In its assessment of the health and wellness of women in prison, the Commission for Gender Equality recommended that, “The DCS should develop a new strategy for accommodating inmates with mental health problems that does not involve imprisonment of mental patients in currently overcrowded DCS correctional centres.”, The committee did not have enough time to debate the assessment, and chairperson Gratitude Magwanishe recommended that top DCS officials meet with the Commission for Gender Equality, and present a joint report in three months’ time. Representatives from the personal corrections department of the DCS told the committee that of the 243 correctional facilities across South Africa, 157 are technically underpopulated while 77 are more than 150% full. This is the reality facing inmates in our correctional centres today," Van der Westhuizen said on Wednesday. Prisons are also notorious for being sites where multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB flourishes, and MDR TB is on the rise in SA. This way that the criminals should keep many things in mind. Van der Westhuizen said the population in prisons remained excessively high, adding that it was not evenly spread. It should be done in a that the government should banns the drugs in the country and charge fine whoever is using it. SA's prison hell: crime, overcrowding, suicides and struggling staff News One important factor, at least in the United States, is a punitive public. ... from the personal corrections department of the DCS told the committee that of the 243 correctional facilities across South Africa, 157 … It … november 2006. 19 July 2017 - Africa Check [FACT SHEET] The state of South Africa’s prisons. Sonke Gender Justice prisons co-ordinator Zia Wasserman said overcrowding created an environment for diseases such as TB, HIV and leptospirosis. In the Eastern Cape correctional facilities were, on average, overpopulated by almost 58%. “When facilities are overcrowded, the main priority becomes security. Prison overcrowding stems from long sentences and many minor crimes resulting in prison terms. "A few minutes too late can mean the difference between a suicide, homicide or rape. There are many great benefits to being a Maverick Insider. E-tolls standoff intensifies as Gauteng government says it has made a ... NEWS FEATURE | Into the murky world where the Bulgarian mafia, a Cape ship and ... ‘Stay out of the water’: More than 100 crocodiles on the loose in Mpumalanga. SAPOHR wants to make use of this opportunity to approach your programme with the aim to open the discussion of the chronically overcrowded and over populated prisons in South Africa. Prison overcrowding poses obvious challenges for the social distancing recommended to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Extent of overcrowding at SA prisons revealed. Although South Africa's racial policies were a cause for concern, most countries in the UN concurred that this was a domestic affair, which fell outside the UN's jurisdiction. In the 2018/19 year there were about 43,000 more inmates than beds available in correctional facilities, but according to Arthur Fraser, national commissioner of correctional services, these inmates have a proper place to sleep. Although the department has made temporary plans for overcrowded facilities, Katenga revealed that, since 2000, there had only been a 15% increase in the number of formal bed spaces for prisoners. So-called ‘problematic’ inmates are sometimes kept separate or segregated from the rest of the inmates for long periods of time,” said Rapoo. Providing adequate healthcare. On the other hand, the underlying cause of this surplus of inmates is less apparent. Prison overcrowding is frequently cited as the reason for many maladies in our prison system, but the situation is a bit more textured than a blanket statement proclaiming that South African prisons are overcrowded. The number of sentenced prisoners increased by 27%, and the number of those held awaiting trial increased by 54%. Select which newsletters you'd like to receive, Suné Payne, Victoria O'Regan & Patrick Egwu, When we say we have 118,000 beds, it doesn’t mean that the rest of the [43,000] inmates are sleeping on the floor,” Fraser told the committee. One occurs when offenders are released and then commit another crime only to become incarcerated again. Between 1996 and June 2001, the overall number of prisoners in South African prisons increased by 34%. 91 accommodate women in a section of the prison.1 The total capacity of prisons is 118 154 people, with 25 000 places being reserved for people awaiting trial detainees (ATD). Most people assume that prison populations rise in response to two factors, namely, rising crime rates and/or longer sentences imposed by the courts. This fact sheet was compiled by Africa Check with research done by Gopolang Makou, Ina Skosana and Ruth Hopkins from Wits Journalism and the Department of Media Studies in the School of Language, Literature and Media at Wits: ", Read more at the SA government's online coronavirus portal or use the 24-hour public hotline: 0800 029 999. In response to a crisis of massive prison overcrowding, Gov. The Mandela Rules are a new and improved version of the original United Nations’ 1995 Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. In response to a crisis of massive prison overcrowding, Gov. The Western Cape was found to have the most overcrowded facilities, with Pollsmoor Medium B being 200% overcrowded. 91 accommodate women in a section of the prison.1 The total capacity of prisons is 118 154 people, with 25 000 places being reserved for people awaiting trial detainees (ATD). Four innocent men spent a combined 52 years in prison for crimes they did not commit. Meeting Summary. Schwarzenegger has called for the construction of two more prisons. Causes of Prison Overcrowding. Daily Maverick previously reported on the rise in prisoner suicides, which jumped from 52 in 2016/17 to 82 in 2017/18. Of these deaths, 72% were from hanging. This is the current state inside South African prisons. If the drafters had been afforded a window onto the future, and seen the state of South Africa's prisons ten years into democracy, they would have been aghast. OVERCROWDING 7 TRANSFERS 10 CELL CONDITIONS 11 BEDDING AND CLOTHING 13 FOOD 14 MEDICAL CARE 15 III. According to the DCS report for the 2017/18 financial year, correctional facilities were overpopulated by an average of 38% across SA. Overcrowding in prisons and its impact on health Overcrowding in prisons and its impact on health García-Guerrero J1, Marco A2. Sexual abuse is a common phenomenon and it is linked to overcrowding rates and understaffing. Outbreaks of disease are more frequent and more severe when the population density is high. The major findings on which most researchers agree are (1) that prisoners housed in large, open bay dormitories are more likely to visit clinics and to have high blood pressure than are prisoners in other housing arrangements (single-bunked cells, double-bunked cells, small dormitories, large partitioned dormitories); (2) that prisons that contain dormitories have somewhat higher assault rates than do other prisons; and (3) that prisons … Since 1980, the State of California has built more than 20 prisons, and its prison population has increased about fivefold. “When facilities are overcrowded, the main priority becomes security. Prisoners live in confined conditions with others for prolonged periods. understand the precise causes of overcrowding in the particular jurisdiction. South Africa has two super-maximum security prisons: C-Max, in Pretoria, and Ebongweni, in Kokstad. Overcrowding, suicides, rape and homicide. In December 1996, South African prisons … “We have made bunk beds and in-between beds, so to speak.”. Statistics were given for the numbers, which showed that in June 2009, there was a total inmate population of 163 108, which was accommodated in 237 active correctional centres. Prison life in South Africa is characterized by an elaborate system of gangs, through which much prisoner-on-prisoner violence is mediated. Overcrowding is an obvious cause of and contributing factor in many of the health issues in prisons, most notably infectious diseases and mental health issues. The DCS gave a presentation to the Committee about overcrowding and management of correctional service facilities. These are our prisons, where crime is rife and where close to 500 inmates have died, 82 of unnatural causes. Examples abound of overcrowding leading to riots and mutinies, violence and corruption, damage to physical and mental health not just of prisoners but of staff as well. In South Africa there are currently 243 correctional centres (or ‘prisons’), with a total inmate population of approximately 161 0541. Overcrowded SA prisons hotbeds of suicide, rape and homicide, says judge. Overcrowding has been a significant feature of imprisonment in South Africa from the very introduction of this form of punishment into the country. Overcrowding in South African prisons. © 2021 Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. There are several causes for prison overcrowding. He said in the report that to deal with overcrowding, kitchens work overtime to prepare enough food for inmates, and that plumbing and hot water systems constantly break down due to overuse. re: causes of the chronic overcrowding in south african prisons. 1.2 The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) in its 2009/10 Annual Report, states that, although the level of incarceration has dropped to 139%, considerably lower than the 170% recorded at the end of the 2002/03 financial year, South Africa’s incarceration rate remains the highest in Africa and one of the highest in the world. While South Africa’s prison system is relatively well-resourced, overcrowding, violations of personal safety and lack of access to services persist. Further, South African prison conditions represent serious breaches of rights enshrined in the South African Constitution. Since the ‘War on Drugs’ began, many prisons have become filled because of drug-related offenders. This was revealed in inspecting judge of correctional services Johann van der Westhuizen's 2018/2019 annual report. 6 For an analysis of prison overcrowding in the context of the African continent as a whole, including a very brief summary of overcrowding in the prisons of colonial Natal, see S Peté "A brief history of human rights in the prisons of Africa" in J Sarkin (ed) Human Rights in African Prisons (Cape Town, 2008) 40-66 at 46-48 and 53-55. For the 2018/19 period, 720 complaints were received from inmates. This was showing a decline since 2004. for the 2017/18 financial year, correctional facilities were overpopulated by an average of 38% across SA. This is the current state inside South African prisons. On Sunday 1 September an inmate stabbed an officer in the neck, and was killed while attempting to stab other officials, according to News24. Overcrowding, disease and torture. With about 170,000 inmates, it has a higher per-capita incarceration rate than the rest of the United States, which itself has the highest per-ca On the other hand, the underlying cause of this surplus of inmates is less apparent. Acting chief deputy commissioner of incarcerations and corrections, Maria Mabena, said only 81 full-time psychologists, supported by social workers and doctors, were available to assist correctional facilities. Prison crowding is often identified as the cause of inmate ill health and misconduct and of postrelease recidivism. The overriding cause of prison overcrowding is fairly obvious: The number of inmates exceeds the spatial and social capacity of correctional institutions and prison systems to house these inmates. The overriding cause of prison overcrowding is fairly obvious: The number of inmates exceeds the spatial and social capacity of correctional institutions and prison systems to house these inmates. And so, … With about 170,000 inmates, it has a higher per-capita incarceration rate than the rest of the United States, which itself has the highest per-ca Although these factors are obviously important, the causes of overcrowding are multi-factored and multi-layered. prison overcrowding in the south african correctional services: a penological perspective by kosabo isaac shabangu submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of arts in the subject penology at the university of south africa. A particular right which has subtly avoided being addressed is that, as noted above, of ‘adequate accommodation”. In some of the poorest countries, particularly in Africa, congestion can lead to suffocation and death. Therefore we can’t do anything else properly.”. Many people in the United … According to statistics from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), South Africa’s correctional facilities have been overcrowded since 2000. JICS inspecting judge Johann van der Westhuizen said that to deal with overcrowding kitchens work overtime to prepare enough food, and that plumbing and hot water systems constantly break down due to overuse. 2 Also the remedy is simple: send fewer off enders to … Prison overcrowding is a serious problem. This is followed by a meticulous Overview of Prison There are 241 active correctional centres across South Africa. Overview of Prison There are 241 active correctional centres across South Africa. As we look behind the circumstances and causes of the prison overcrowding the general steps should be taken first and to be started after having the positive reply of the public. SAPOHR wants to make use of this opportunity to approach your programme with the aim to open the discussion of the chronically overcrowded and over populated prisons in South Africa. Sentence reduction allows for inmates to leave sooner and make room for incoming ones. The Eastern Cape consisted of smaller facilities in rural areas, of which the top three facilities were more than 100% full. Of these, there are 43 646 remand detainees. “We have made bunk beds and in-between beds, so to speak.”. Several sets of factors appear to have contributed to the growth of jail and prison populations in the United States and other parts of the world. CAUSES OF PRISON OVERCROWDING Tapio Lappi-Seppälä Director, National Research Institute of Legal Policy, Finland I. Despite TB being the leading cause of death among prisoners in many countries, only 63 countries provide TB treatment in prisons, while screening for hepatitis is equally uncommon.78 79 80. At some centres, lice and pest infestations were common, largely due to the high turnaround of remand detainees in and out of the prisons. (Note: Two advocacy groupshave launched a court bidto ensure the inspectorate enjoys the institutional independence that the constitution requires. The current view is to punish offenders. The latest data shows that 22 national prison systems hold more than double their capacity, with a further 27 countries operating at 150-200%. The study provides an overview of the history of gangs in South Africa and shows how community gangs spread to prisons. ABSTRACT Overcrowding in prisons is a common problem that affects many countries. 74. There are several causes for prison overcrowding. In Gauteng, only two out of the 15 centres were found not to be overcrowded. South Africa has two super-maximum security prisons: C-Max, in Pretoria, and Ebongweni, in Kokstad. supervisor: professor c.h. Castellón I1 and Male Prison of Barcelona2. re: causes of the chronic overcrowding in south african prisons. The second one is considered to be the biggest super-max prison in the world, with 1,440 places. ... Nkomo had died of "natural causes." Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town holds 4 162 prisoners (238% occupation), with 60 - 80 awaiting trial.7 Our prisons have been described as ‘melting pots’ for tuberculosis (TB) infection, with TB the most common cause of death among prisoners. In KwaZulu-Natal, five of the 18 inspected facilities were found to be under capacity. Overcrowding in South African Prisons Overcrowding in South African prisons: The reality in the 21st century 1 Shanta Singh Scool of Socialogy and Social Studies University of KwaZulu-Natal Samevatting Tans is Suid-Afrika se 240 gevangenisse erg oorbevolk. High-flying Durban taxi boss bust making withdrawals with 70 stolen Sassa cards, ‘Less than candid’ ex-president ordered to pay R95k maintenance. Therefore we can’t do anything else properly.”. Given the above background, this study aimed to examine how correctional facilities can suppress gang activity. In South Africa, one of the continent’s wealthiest countries, prison overcrowding stood at 37% in March 2019 with 162,875 detainees for just 118,572 bed spaces. In the Eastern Cape correctional facilities were, on average, overpopulated by almost 58%. Prison overcrowding stems from long sentences and many minor crimes resulting in prison terms. These both things definetely gives the government a positive expectation of crime so it is better to implement such rules that gives a balanced situation of crime level.One of the causes that includes overcrowding is that there is very less number of facilities given to all of the offenders for example: Some offenders are given the facility and most of them are shifted back to the prisons that is out of state … 6. It is difficult to define this term because there is no single internationally accepted standard. Overcrowding was attributed to a number of causes. “When we say we have 118,000 beds, it doesn’t mean that the rest of the [43,000] inmates are sleeping on the floor,” Fraser told the committee. Eight are for women only, 13 are for youths and 129 are for men only. The only right that inmates should be deprived of is liberty. Click here to see other benefits and to sign-up to our reader community supporting quality, independent journalism. … “DCS has no legal powers to refuse detention of inmates on the basis of inadequate bed space and other factors resulting in overcrowding of inmates,” Katenga told the committee. At the end of March 2016, South Africa’s prisons only had 119,134 bedspaces available for its 161,984 inmates. The most suicides occurred in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. It is currently receiving its budget from the department of correctional services and is administratively and operationally linked to it, making it very difficult for the inspectorate to hold the d… Approximately 550 natural deaths are recorded in South African prisons each year (Independent Online 2019), which equates to a death rate of 333 per 100,000. affairs necessitates further study into the management of prison gangs. In South Africa, prisons are severely overcrowded. Since 1980, the State of California has built more than 20 prisons, and its prison population has increased about fivefold. One occurs when offenders are released and then commit another crime only to become incarcerated again. Most people assume that prison populations rise in response to two factors, namely, rising crime rates and/or longer sentences imposed by the courts. Overcrowding is one of the department’s biggest problems,” said Katenga. The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services is the body tasked withoverseeingSouth Africa’s correctional services and inspecting and reporting on how inmates are treated. Usually, the court is beset with its own challenges of delays and lengthy postponements. Assaults and inmates requesting transfers were among the most complaints received. Hank Green was approached to … What are the health risks related to overcrowding? Prison life in South Africa is characterized by an elaborate system of gangs, through which much prisoner-on-prisoner violence is mediated. Causes of Prison Overcrowding. The use of contaminated injecting equipment when using drugs is one of the primary routes of HIV transmission in prisons.25 Where there are high numbers of imprisoned people who inject drugs, there is a higher risk of HIV transmission.A literature review of studies about prisoners in relation to HIV and HCV conducted globally between 2007 and 2017 found Asia and the Pacific had the highest level of injecting drug use in prison at 2… The paper thus takes the view that the problem of prison overcrowding pose challenges to both poor and rich countries, but the causes differs from one region to another. Overcrowding in prisons and its impact on health Overcrowding in prisons and its impact on health García-Guerrero J1, Marco A2. "A variety of items are used, but mainly ligatures fashioned from bedding and clothing. Prison overcrowding poses obvious challenges for the social distancing recommended to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Schwarzenegger has called for the construction of two more prisons. The prison population in South Africa was so disproportionately high that the maintenance of prison services was a major drain on national resources; Something needed to be done to address the culture of crime in prisons and the excessive recidivism which characterises our prison system. A change in mentality may also help reduce prison overcrowding. Long Term. Overcrowding is not limited to adult prisoners. The director of the Office of Policy and Management's Justice Planning Division shall be designated in statute as the permanent chairman of the Prison and Jail Overcrowding Commission. Thirteen of the 20 suicides by hanging occurred in a single cell. understand the precise causes of overcrowding in the particular jurisdiction. Lack of data and releases. 7. This is the current state inside South African prisons. As this article indicates, however, overcrowding in South African prisons is not only a recent phenomenon. The inspectorate’s most recent annual report notes that South Africa had 236 operational prisons at the end of March 2016, with seven “under some form of renovation” at the time. This article examines overcrowding in the prisons of colonial Natal from 1845 until 1910. The committee did not have enough time to debate the assessment, and chairperson Gratitude Magwanishe recommended that top DCS officials meet with the Commission for Gender Equality, and present a joint report in three months’ time. The Prison and Jail Overcrowding Commission shall meet at least quarterly each year and comply with its statutory obligation to produce an annual statewide plan. ABSTRACT Overcrowding in prisons is a common problem that affects many countries. Overcrowding was attributed to a number of causes. The current conditions in South African prisons fail to meet the minimum standards established in national and international legislation and declarations. Removing advertising from your browsing experience is one of them - we don't just block ads, we redesign our pages to look smarter and load faster. The reverse of that, ie overcrowding is the current realities of prisons today. Prisons, the law and overcrowding; New South African Review. “Overcrowding is one of the department’s biggest problems,” said Katenga. Although these factors are obviously important, the causes of overcrowding are multi-factored and multi-layered. These centres should only have housed 114 822 people, which meant that there was 142.58% overcrowding. Castellón I1 and Male Prison of Barcelona2. North Korea has a VHS copy of Space Jam ensconced in a museum. The report found that the centre with the highest overcrowding percentage was Johannesburg Medium B at 111% - where 2,750 sentenced inmates were housed in a facility designed for 1,300. Please sign in or register to enable this feature. A total of 21,022 people were murdered in South Africa between April 1 2018 and March 31 this year, while 52,420 were victims of sexual offences. Statistics were given for the numbers, which showed that in June 2009, there was a total inmate population of 163 108, which was accommodated in 237 active correctional centres.