On 30 October 2018 more than 20 media houses came to witness what goes on inside correctional centres in order to promote balanced reporting for the benefit of the public. The department did the unusual by inviting the media to tour the Maximum facility at Leeuwkop Management Area. The purpose of the invite was to give the media insight into the good and the ugly of DCS.
Gauteng Regional Commissioner Grace Molatedi said that the tour was to help bridge the gap between the department and communities who are not aware of the responsibilities of Correctional Services. “The communities are not well informed about what the department does and the media is invited to come and witness what we do inside correctional facilities so that they can educate the public,” she said.
Chief Operations Commissioner Mandla Mkabela and acting CDC Remand Detention Vuyi Mlomo-Ndlovu were also present during the walk about. The journalists were taken into offender units inside the Maximum Centre to see the realities of limited bed space in correctional facilities. They also visited the metal, wooden and upholstery workshops, the hospital and the piggery. They were educated on offender skills development programmes, aimed at addressing challenges such as unemployment, which is one of the root cause of crime.
The Head of the Maximum Centre Anthony Gina said the centre houses 1175 offenders and is almost 150% overcrowded. He said the reclassification of offenders is assisting and some are transferred to Medium C according to their serving time and behaviour.
Molatedi told the media that Gauteng is one of the most overpopulated regions in the country housing 36 321 offenders 1307 of which are females. The department is implementing a multi-pronged strategy towards the management of overcrowding. Managing the levels of remand detainees, consideration of sentenced offenders for parole or correctional supervision, evenly spreading offenders, advocating for non-custodial sanctions/alternatives to imprisonment and optimal use of correctional supervision are some of the strategies being implemented.
The Gauteng region is also intensifying public education by going out to churches and other community gatherings to explain the mandate of the department. Ms Molatedi said the communities must also understand what their role is and what they can do to contribute to a reduction in re-offending. She said the department is making sure that everyone understands that corrections is a societal responsibility.