Department of Correctional Services – Parole Boards S. Dichabe 08 September 2009 For Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services
Outline Background Mandate Challenges Successes Recommendations Conclusion
Background Legal Mandate DCS Act 8 of 1959 DCS Act 111 of 1998 Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1957 Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 White Paper on Corrections Promotion of Access to Information, Act 2 of 2000 Victim’s Charter 2004
Challenges Non parole periods ordered by the courts. Lack of representation by SAPS and Justice in board structures. Sentencing of children (13 – 16 yr olds). Lack of resources for marketing VE. Blurred reporting and accountability. Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) Chairperson Remuneration and benefits.
Successes Masibambisane National Excellence Award 2009 Successful motion applications to court (36) VE awareness campaigns Statistics for 2008/2009 1875 parole applications 766 parole granted (41%) 4 placed on medical parole (0.00%) 14 sentence conversions (0.75%) 972 further profiles (52%) 93 parole violations (5%)
Recommendations In-depth CMC training. Involvement of SAPS and Justice on the PB. Establishment of a reformatory for children in conflict with the law (FS). Availability of resources for VE marketing. Clear policy guidelines on lines of reporting and accountability Implementation of DPSA benefit structures.
Conclusion Thank You for the opportunity given to present to the Committee our challenges and recommendations Ke a leboha! Baie dankie!