1. Progress: Implementation of Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards
Building a caring correctional system that truly belongs to all
Presentation to Port Folio Committee
5 September 2006

2. PURPOSE
To provide an overview of progress with the implementation of Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards.

3. BACKGROUND
New Parole Boards (52) were established in terms of section 74 of the Correctional Services Act, 111 of 1998 on 1 October 2004.
Initially members of the DCS were appointed on interim basis as Chairpersons in order to ensure compliance with the Act until suitable members from the community could be appointed.
The majority of the Chairpersons were appointed in July 2005 and were welcomed into the Department by the Minister and senior members of the department during a national orientation session held at Boksburg on 25/ 26 July 2005

4. COMPOSITION OF BOARDS Chairperson – Member from Community
Vice Chairperson – Member of DCS to be replaced by member from the Community.
Secretary – member of the DCS.
Two members from the Community (part time).
Member of SAPS.
Member of Justice.
Quorum = 3 members (one of which must be the Chair of Vice)

5. RESPONSIBILITY/ FUNCTIONS
The primary task of the Parole Board is the responsible consideration and approval/ disapproval of placement of offenders
under correctional supervision
on day parole
parole and
medical parole
The granting of special remission of sentence to offenders for meritorious conduct.
Making recommendations to the Minister and Court a Quo regarding offenders sentenced to life imprisonment and those declared as dangerous criminals.

6. TRAINING
During 4 one week sessions a total number of 86 Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons were trained from August 2005 to November 2005.
Training covered inter alia the following areas:
Administrative Law
Offender rehabilitation path
Functions of Parole Boards
Parole Board procedures including the hearing
Complainant involvement
Parole policies
Societal responsibility of Parole Boards
Etc.

7. VACANCIES - Chairpersons
The following Chairperson posts are currently vacant and were advertised:
GAUTENG
Krugersdorp, Baviaanspoort, Pretoria, Leeuwkop, Modderbee, Boksburg
EASTERN CAPE
Lusikisiki, Sada
FREESTATE/ NORTHERN CAPE
Kimberley, Goedemoed
KWAZULU/NATAL
Ncome, Empangeni, Kokstad, Glencoe
LIMPOPO/ MPUMALANGA/ NORTH WEST
Rooigrond
WESTERN CAPE
Pollsmoor, Voorberg, Helderstroom (Overberg)

8. VACANCIES – Chairpersons Continued
Gross lists are being finalized: target date: 15 September 2006
Regions will ensure that members of the Portfolio Committee or the Select Committee are invited to form part of both the short-listing and interviewing of prospective candidates.

9. VICE CHAIRPERSONS
All current Vice Chairpersons (members of the DCS) will be replaced by members from the community
Full time contract appointment
3 to 5 year contract
Was advertised in various news papers and Parole Boards were also requested to distribute adverts to local community structures.
Office of Inspecting General also distributed the adverts to the IPVs.
Closing date for adverts is 11 September 2006

10. COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Only the following community member posts were registered at HR for advertising:
Gauteng: Leeuwkop, Boksburg
Regions have however again been requested to identify vacant community member posts and to register it for advertisement: due date: 8 September 2006.

11. REVIEW BOARD Was launched on 4 May 2006 Had 4 sittings
Dealt with 6 cases
Reasons placed before the Review Board
Procedures not followed.
4 cases relate to seriousness of crime and inadequate time for effective rehabilitation
One as a result of a representation by a complainant

12. PAROLE BOARD FACILITIES
Facilities plans for Parole Boards were standardised
R12.4 mil has been made available to start with Parole Board facilities in the current financial year.

13. LAYOUT PAROLE BOARD FACILITIES

14. CHALLENGES
The following challenges have been identified by the DCS and are being addressed
Inadequate reports by CMCs.
Differentiation of roles between DCS officials and Parole Boards.
Review process and procedures of Review Board (NCCS).
Quality of decisions taken by Parole Boards.
Filling of vacancies.
Recruitment and training of new Vice Chairpersons.
Training for Secretaries and Clerks.
Marketing of Complainant Involvement in Parole Boards.
Monitoring of Parole Board decisions to build case profiles.

15. Building a caring correctional system that
Thank you
Building a caring correctional system that
truly belongs to all