• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Features Democracy gauge Democracy Gauge stories

Prisons breed more brazen criminals: Former inmate

20 August 2019, 5:46 PM  |
|  @SABCNews
Jackie Nhlapho

Nhlapho says the country’s prisons breed criminals that are more brazen.

Jackie Nhlapho

Image: SABC News

Nhlapho says the country’s prisons breed criminals that are more brazen.

 

High suicide rates and overcrowding are some of the issues plaguing South Africa’s correctional facilities.

Releasing its report on the state of the country’s jails in 2018, the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services lamented the high rate of suicide.

The prison oversight body has cited the social phenomenon as the most common type of unnatural death in jail, with Gauteng having the highest statistics.

Late statesman Nelson Mandela once said a measure of a country is in how it treats its prisoners.

As the SABC continues to review 25 years of democracy, producer Lindiwe Mabena spoke to a reformed criminal for a first-hand account on the quality of life in the country’s jails.

Jackie Nhlapho is a former jailbird, who grew up in the Zola section of the Soweto Township, in Johannesburg.

“Crime is what you mostly see in Zola while growing up. It is so bad that it ends up looking like it is not wrong. You become revered. I remember there were older people we saw wearing nice sneakers. They were not working but they always had money. This fascinated my friends and me. And you know as a child you take more what people do than what they say,” he says.

Nhlapho’s life changed while serving a six-year jail term at Boksburg Correctional Centre in 2005.

He says life was so unbearable that he swore never to return.

Nhlapho believes that the country’s prisons breed criminals that are more brazen.

“In jail, you graduate in crime because you meet more experienced criminals. It is where you get ideas to do daring crime.”

The newlywed alleges that community members also contribute to contraband smuggling in jail.

“For instance, Krugersdorp prison is surrounded by houses. Therefore, when I want you to bring me dagga, I will tell which side you should go and throw that plastic there. Then I will ask the cleaning staff to go fetch the parcel for me, it could be dagga, drugs or a gun. Warders also smuggle in drugs and knives.”

Nhlapho converted to Christianity after being transferred to Leeuwkop prison in 2008.

He credits his faith for helping him stay clean and out of trouble.

Nhlapho had been doing drugs for 13 years when he quit.

He was released from prison in 2010.

The newlywed is now an evangelist and helps young people who are addicted to drugs.

Nhlapho is urging authorities to allow them to preach in prison, despite their previous brushes with the law.

“I am aware there are those who pretend to go to jail to preach while they are lying. However, I want people to know that if there is a fake – there is also authenticity. If government can open the door for us to preach even at schools. The Word of God changes a person. We have the solution. When we speak to prisoners, we speak from a place of understanding. We are able to reach them.”

For more of his story, watch insert below:

Share article
Tags: Boksburg Correctional ServicesLeeuwkop Correctional CentreJustice and Correctional Services MinisterBoksbergDemocracy GaugeDemocracy 25
Previous Post

U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo says ISIS strong in some areas – CBS

Next Post

Cameroon separatist leaders condemned to life in prison

Related Posts

25 years of democracy image

Will South Africa survive its woes?

11 December 2019, 2:54 PM
ANC 1994 top six

This week in 1994: Democracy 25

11 December 2019, 2:06 PM
Pieter Groenewald

This week in 1994: Democracy 25

4 December 2019, 6:27 PM
Protest demanding equal education

No silver bullets to SA’s education challenges: Expert

3 December 2019, 7:43 PM
South Africa was the 124th country to ratify the historic Marrakesh treaty, which produced more than 60 agreements.

This week in 1994: Democracy 25

27 November 2019, 4:37 PM
Example of ballot paper

Will changing SA’s electoral system increase accountability?

26 November 2019, 7:32 PM
Next Post
Cameroon Flag

Cameroon separatist leaders condemned to life in prison

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • South Africans no longer required to wear face masks indoors
  • E Cape Liquor Board says Enyobeni tavern owner will face criminal charges
  • Zulu Royal Palace abuzz as King Misuzulu’s cleansing ceremony continues
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

Pope Francis arrives for the Mass of Saint Peter and Paul in St Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, June 29, 2022.
  • World
  • Russia, Ukraine conflict

Ukraine shopping centre bombing the latest ‘barbarous’ attack: Pope


Test tubes labelled "Monkeypox virus positive and negative" are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022.
  • Sci-tech

No need to impose regulations for Monkeypox: Government


Civil society members hold banners during an anti-Rwanda protest, amid tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali over Rwanda's suspected backing of the M23 rebel group, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo June 25, 2022.
  • Africa

Scary times for Rwandans in Congo as rebel attacks ignite tensions


FIFA expects to offer a total of 3 million match tickets during the 28-day tournament, which kicks off November 21, a spokesperson said.
  • Sport

FIFA sells 1.8 million tickets for Qatar’s World Cup


  • South Africa

Carbon monoxide poisoning may have contributed to Enyobeni Tavern tragedy: Sources


FILE PHOTO: A worker shelters from the rain under a Union Flag umbrella as he passes the London Stock Exchange in London, Britain
  • Business

FTSE 100 retreats from two-week high on slowdown worries


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo says ISIS strong in some areas – CBS
Next Cameroon Flag Cameroon separatist leaders condemned to life in prison