The departmental Information Officer and Deputy Information Officers were trained by South African Human Rights Commission in compliance with 83(30)(e) of Promotion of Access to Information Act, no 2 of 2000, on the 4th of April 2008.

Ms. Felicity Nxumalo Director Information Management (PAIA Unit) has been elected as Chairperson of PAIA Coordinating Committee for the Information Officer's Forum under the leadership of the Human Rights Commission Officer's Forum.

On 28 September 2005, International Right to Know Day, the Open Democracy Advice Centre announces the launch of South Africa’s first openness and responsiveness awards, known as the Golden Key Awards, whereby the Department of Correctional Services ranked 26 in PAIA implementation. Since then the South African Human Rights Commission and Open Democracy Advice Centre have joined forces to jointly recognize government departments, Deputy Information Officers and Private Institutions, journalists and members of the public that done exemplary work in promoting openness, transparency and accountability in the public and private sectors in the usage and compliance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

On the 28 September 2006 second openness and responsiveness awards, known as Golden Key Awards, the Department of Correctional Services has now moved to number 12 in PAIA implementation; in the next award the department is striving to take the first position.