As a developmental state, South Africa has made progressive growth. The White Paper on Corrections mapped the department’s 20-year plan, which has been gradually realised since its inception.
This set the ball rolling for a bottom-up approach to the 2018 DCS Strategic Planning session, currently taking place in Gauteng. Inputs were consolidated from Grade 3 to deputy director level across the department, and critical concerns were presented for tangible resolutions. A fresh perspective into corrections has bolstered new energy into planning.
The twist this time around is that DCS is not planning alone. The turnaround strategy of the department is aimed at building on corrections for generations to come. The goal in sight is to plan the ultimate correctional system.
Heads of Department across government spheres graced the session from day one to pack a punch towards joint service excellence. Senior managers throughout DCS, and representatives among government, have gathered to share information and interrogate DCS deliverables using inputs received from all levels in the department.
National Commissioner Arthur Fraser said he was humbled by the number of Directors-General and entity representatives who responded to the call from DCS to charter new ground aimed to raise corrections in the decades to come. “Government has the required skill, intellect and tenacity to understand institutional challenges, and address them being solution-orientated,” Fraser said.
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Michael Masutha explained that DCS is an integral part of the criminal justice system. He stressed that much work is required to address the challenges, that must yield fundamental change to restore public confidence in ensuring that people are, and feel, safe. “Effective corrections will contribute to a more effective justice system,” the Minister highlighted.
At the end of this week, eleven commissions, comprising of senior DCS officials and representatives from various government departments, are anticipating to reach their goal where, for the first time in corrections history, a 50-year Correctional Services Plan will be realised.