August 09, 2007, 17:15
The Correctional Services Portfolio Committee said serious changes were needed for South Africa's overcrowded and understaffed prisons. Chairperson Dennis Bloem said after recent visits to Modderbee prison, Nigel Prison and Devon Prison in Gauteng, it was evident that prison conditions were unfavourable.
"These three prisons are just an overall representation of the state of other prisons in our country," said Bloem. The committee interacted with prisoners and staff during its visits.
Modderbee prison, which was built to house 2 492 inmates, was spilling over with 4 860 prisoners, of which 2 971 were serving sentences and 1 879 were awaiting trial.
"We also found that critical staff were also very low, for example, Modderbee only had nine nurses, two social workers, four teachers, and did not have any inhouse psychologists," said Bloem.
He said that the committee was going to approach Parliament and attempt to alleviate the problems. "We as a committee will compile a report with suggestions on how to combat these problems and then table it in Parliament. We will pay attention to staff shortages and overcrowding in prisons," said Bloem.
The committee would visit KwaZulu-Natal prisons on Monday. - Sapa
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