1. The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services
Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on the Parole Regime: successes, challenges and future developments
Presented by Acting CEO: Mr M Masondo
Office of the Inspecting Judge
20 September 2016

2. PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATION
The purpose of this presentation is to report to the Portfolio Committee on the Parole system and the observations of the Inspectorate relating to the:
The Role of JICS in the Parole System
Successes
Challenges
Future developments; and
Recommendations from the Inspectorate

3. The Role of JICS in the Parole System
Inspectorate can receive and refer parole related complaints
Cannot interfere with the recommendations made by CSPB
The IJ can refer a matter directly to the Parole Review Board
Engages with stakeholders to employ ex- offenders who are on parole

4. Successes as observed by the Inspectorate
The Independent Correctional Centre Visitors are contractually employed by the Inspectorate and are based at correctional centres. Their primary task is to receive and deal with the various complaints from inmates. The table below indicates the number of Parole Complaints recorded by the ICCVs in financial year.
JICS Regions and Head Office
EMR
CMR
NMR
SMR
DLS
Total
Parole
138
1320
1587
1044 46
4135
DCS Annual Performance Plan (APP) – Cases considered by CSPB during 2015/16 financial year
REGION
2015/16
NATIONAL
96.52% (41942/43454)
FS/NC
90.08% (7466/8288)
KZN
95.40% (5148/5396)
LMN
96.52% (5830/6040) WC
97.13% (9753/10041) EC
99.87% (4528/4534) GP
100.68% (9217/9155)

5. Challenges as observed by the Inspectorate
Incorrect interpretation of the legislation and case law by the inmates
Administrative incompetencies – incorrect compilation of the profile reports, quality and format, late submissions                 
Interpretation of legislation - Conversions of sentence into correctional supervision, as stipulated in Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, sections 276(1)(i) and 276A(3)
Submission of Reports for Lifers do not comply with basic requirements
    
Setting of placement conditions must be discussed in consultation between CMC and Community Corrections
The incorrect administration of the parole process causes frustrations for inmates, whom in most cases do not understand the processes, hence such complaints are then forwarded to the Inspectorate

6. Future developments
DCS has implemented a new compliance checklist and cover page to the G326
Profile reports of lifers which did not comply with the basic requirements were taken back to DCS Regions for further discussions and informed decisions
DCS further introduced a revised cover page for all other profile reports
DCS has announced a new qualification called Occupational Certificate for Offender Placement Release Practitioner is SAQA approved on NQF level 6. The DCS are in the process of appointing a committee, whereby JICS will form part to develop the training material.

7. Recommendations to improve the Parole System
Ensure fully functional parole boards - The Minister has approved the extension of contracts of the Parole Board members to 31 March In addition, current vacancies be advertised and filled as a matter of urgency
JICS and DCS to conduct workshops to educate inmates on the parole legislation and processes
DCS has appointed a task team to make recommendations to the Minister on the review of the parole system.

8. Recommendations to improve the Parole System
DCS has developed and tested new tools for utilization by CMCs, CSPBs and Supervision Committees such as:
Re-Offending Risk Tool – statistically based risk indicator, used as a guide for indicating risk and for identifying interventions/ actions/ conditions to manage the risk
Decision Making Matrix – a tool to ensure that a standard consideration thought processes is used by all CMCs and CSPBs to evaluate the risks and to assist in making properly considered and fully motivated recommendations/ decisions
Parole Revocation Tool – a tool to ensure that parole revocations comply with a uniform approach to consider parole revocations by standardizing the criteria used during the recommendation and decision making processes. It is intended to ensure that there is consistency amongst Supervision Committees and CSPBs when parole revocation is considered.

9. End
Thank You