An Age of hope: a National Effort for Corrections, Rehabilitation and Social Re-integration of Offenders THANK YOU Presentation: Portfolio Committee: Department of Correctional Services: Eastern Cape November 2006 An Age of Hope: A National Effort for Corrections, Rehabilitation and Social Re-integration of Offenders

INTRODUCTION: This document aims to provide an outline of progress made by DCS EC Region in addressing challenges raised by the Portfolio Committee. It will focus on the interventions made and plans in place with regards to: Staff Shortages/ Filling of Vacancies Overcrowding Gangsterism Middledrift Correctional Centre & the regional communication Strategy The presentation will focus on DCS planning around the above over the next 03, 06 & 12 months period. The focus areas outlined above are in line with the requirements of the Portfolio Committee on DCS as explained in the letter addressed to the Honourable Minister.

OVERVIEW OF REGION: Since the last report , in August 2006, some changes aimed at enhancing the ability of the Region to deliver on its mandate were effected. These include: Rezoning: up until Aug 2006, the Eastern Cape Region consisted of eight (8) Management Area – which now changed to six (6) Management Areas: Lusikisiki incorporated into Mthatha and Cradock into Sada and Kirkwood. Objectives behind the decision to rezone the Region included: The need to centralize offenders with special need into facilities that would be adequately resourced to meet their developmental needs. Enhance management area capacity to meet the needs of offenders in their care. Facilitate for categorization of offenders according to strengths and capacity of MA’s thereby contributing to the management of overcrowding. Provision of specialized facilities for offenders with special needs.

OVERVIEW OF REGION: Continued Reclassification of Middledrift Correctional Centre from a Maximum to a Medium Centre was championed with an objective of: Addressing security challenges posed by the infrastructure of the center To reduce the challenges of overcrowding to ensure enough offender labor is available for pursuing the planned farming activities for the center Since the reclassification of Middledrift CC, East London Medium A – has been reclassified as Maximum Security Centre Progress on centralization of inmates is Juveniles to Cradock Young Offenders to Mdantsane Females to East London Centre of Excellence, Port Elizabeth and Queenstown The above was done in order to foster optimal utilization of accommodation space and human resources

Progress made thus far by the committee: MIDDLEDRIFT The RC appointed a task team for reengineering of the Middledrift Cc The ff terms of reference were given to the task team: Reports & incident since 2001-2005 Interventions initiated from 2001-05 HR needs of the center & Appropriate reclassification of the center Progress made thus far by the committee: Since Aug 2006, 14 disciplinary cases for Middledrift have been finalized Only two appeals were lodged A total of 03 grievances have been finalized by the arbitrator, 02 in favor of DCS. A labor relations forum has been launched for the center There was an addition of 04 internal grievances for the center, 02 of which have been finalized. Staff shortages in Middledrift 09 supervisory & 05 Junior management posts have been advertised during the months of September/ October 2006 The approved staff establishment for correctional officials is 165 and Middledrift currently has 161 members employed. To address staff shortages in the Middledrift Center, 09 supervisory & 05 Junior management posts have been advertised during the months of September/ October 2006

OVERCROWDING IN MIDDLEDRIFT So far 730 maximum offenders have been transferred out Of Middledrift since Aug 2006. Reclassification of the Centre from Maximum to a Medium & the consequent reclassification of East London Medium C to a Maximum Facility (Sept 2006). Transfer of 80 Medium classified inmates with long sentences to other Medium Centres e.g. Middleburg EC Migration of maximum inmates Middledrift to East London Currently 680 max offenders are remaining in Middledrift from about 1700 so overcrowding has been decreased by more than 60 % in as far as maximums are concerned Strengthening of CMC to update Profile Reports Processing of transfers of inmates originating from other Regions Transfer of high profiled cases to more secure centers e.g. Kokstad