Bloem calls for urgent review of prisoner rights

Prisoners could be in for a shock after outspoken ANC MP Dennis Bloem has called for an urgent review of their privileges.

Bloem says prisoners, who enjoy privileges such as TVs in their cells, should be shown no mercy by the government. Bloem, who is also Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, says: “Criminals, monsters as I am calling them, have no respect for human life, for women and children. They do whatever they like!”

He says for this reason they should be placed in the hands of C-Max prison where there are no such things as television and public phones. He says: “All those people who kill innocent children, who rape our mothers and sisters, and who kill police, must feel that they have done something wrong to society.”

Bloem says the Portfolio Committee presented their report to Parliament yesterday and will be monitoring the prisons in the country.