IOL reports that according to the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), overcrowding in prisons continues to be a major issue for correctional officials.

This was indicated after Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola advised that the inmate population rose by 7.67% between the 2020/2021 and 2022/2023 financial years, constituting an increase of 10,807 inmates. By October 2022 the overall prison population stood at 151,755 inmates. Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said its members were facing difficulties on a regular basis since they had to care for a bigger population of prison inmates. The higher numbers of prisoners resulted in more frequent altercations between them and prison staff, in which Popcru members were stabbed, as well as increased fighting among inmates themselves. “So these are the issues that the department needs to look into. However, we do have confidence in the current national commissioner in the (Department of Correctional Services), who has agreed to engage with all stakeholders in looking into what solutions can be implemented,” Mamabolo said. Lamola commented that external factors such as criminal tendencies in society, the unemployment rate, the economy, an increase in effective means to combat and prosecute crime, and limiting legislation on mandatory minimum punishments all had a direct impact on inmate population levels.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibuliso Duba at IOL

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page