Department of Correctional DIRECTORATE: SUPERVISION (Probationers & Parolees) Briefing to Select Committee on Correctional Services on Community Corrections DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES Services

Department of Correctional Services INTRODUCTION The Department exercises super- vision and control over offenders and persons who have been sen- tenced to or placed under correc- tional and parole supervision in the community as well as the re-integra- tion of offenders into the commu- nity.

Department of Correctional Services DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS Correctional Supervision Correctional Supervision is a community based sentence, which is served by the offender in the community under the control and supervision of correctional officials and/or volunteers. Such offenders are subjected to conditions, which have been set by the court or the Parole Boards in order to protect the community and prevent relapse into crime. Persons who are serving sentences of Correctional Supervision are called probationers.

Department of Correctional Services DEFINITION : CONTINUE Parole Supervision Parole refers to that portion of the sentence of imprisonment which is served in the com- munity under the control and supervision of correctional officials subject to conditions which have been set by the Parole Boards. Correctional and parole supervision are col- lectively referred to as Community Correc- tions.

Department of Correctional Services BASIC STATISTICS Community Corrections Population is reflected as follows: Probationers : Parolees : Total :76 600

Department of Correctional Services BASIC STATISTICS Positions at Community Corrections Correctional officials: Social Workers: 165 The per capita cost of keeping a person in prison is R per day. The per capita cost of keeping a person in the Community Corrections system is R10.21 per day

Department of Correctional Services CONDITIONS To exercise the necessary supervision and control over offenders in the system of Community Corrections, the following conditions are set for offenders. Monitoring House detention Rendering of Community Service Seeking of employment

Department of Correctional Services CONDITIONS Payment of victim compensation Takes part in need-based programmes Restricted to one or more Magisterial Districts Live at a fixed address Refrain from the use/abuse of alcohol/drugs

Department of Correctional Services CONDITIONS Refrain from committing a criminal offence May not violate any conditions

Department of Correctional Services ADHERENCE TO CONDITIONS Probationers and parolees are subjected to one of five different phases, namely Phase I to V. These phases determine the degree of strict- ness of the conditions to which probationers and parolees are subjected. Monitoring officials exercise control over them by means of physical contact to the workplace, home or place at which community service is rendered.

Department of Correctional Services DEALING WITH VIOLATIONS If an offender violates a condition, the following actions may be taken: Verbal warning Written warning Final warning Change of conditions Issuing of G306-warrant

Department of Correctional Services Transformation of Community Corrections CURRENTIDEAL FEATURES Determine suitability of offender for placement in the system of community corrections Victim should be con- sidered & consulted in determining the suita- bility of the placement of an offender in the system of Community Corrections

Department of Correctional Services CURRENTIDEAL FEATURES At present the Supervision Committee is composed of officials of the Department Consideration should be given to inputs by members of forums to deal with offenders by the supervision committee Transformation of Community Corrections

Department of Correctional Services CURRENTIDEAL FEATURES At present monitoring officials are tracing absconders Tracing units should be established at every community correction office to deal with the tracing of absconders Transformation of Community Corrections

Department of Correctional Services CURRENTIDEAL FEATURES At present the marketing process is not effective The media, brochures and forum meetings should be effectively utilized to market alternative sentencing options Transformation of Community Corrections

Department of Correctional Services CURRENTIDEAL FEATURES Previously all offenders were admitted to the maximum category. New classification system which entails more privileges has been developed. Offenders are now admitted according to the potential risk they pose to society. Transformation of Community Corrections

Department of Correctional Services CURRENTIDEAL FEATURES Not all offices are accessible to all offenders Community Corrections are being decentralized to make them more accessible to all offenders and to deal more effectively with complaints and requests Transformation of Community Corrections