What figures do you have to offer on the contrary?
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Big fight inside our local prison !
KleinBoontjie
Honorary Master
I have no figures at hand, but I know how it works. I was a correctional officer for 12 years and know how the press can say things in the papers that isn't 100% acurate. Like I said in an earlier post, if a prisoner is awaiting trial for that long (5 years), he probably violated a parole agreement or is a repeat "customer".
St Albans is probably built for 800 prisoners, so they are over populated. Still, not all of them is awaiting trial.
My figures 
I am happy to disclose a few things about this prison as long as I am not asked to disclose my true identity. First of all there are a few misconceptions among the public at large regarding awaiting trial inmates. The chance of a absolutely not guilty citizen, ending up as a awaiting trial prisoner is almost zero (I would like to say zero but mathematics does not allow me to). While the judge has the final say in a criminal case, keep in mind, other instances MUST find you guilty just to be taken to court, never mind prison! Further, to end up as awaiting trial, the magistrate or judge MUST also agree that the evidence is overhelming AND the prisoner has some sort of history of not attending court cases AND the case is serious enough. Further, the prisoner MUST be a danger to the public. If not bail will be granted to such a amount which is affordable by the prisoner. (under circumstances free bail !) The prison at St.Albans is already overcrowded and the judges regularly receive letters to help reduce the numbers! Yet, the biggest problem ST.Albans has, is the number of awaiting trial prisoners on bail who commit NEW crimes. Indeed some prisoners are waiting for years to have their cases finalized. (I am not sure where the 5 comes from but will check it tomorrow). What are the judges supposed to do if a inmate out on parol or bail, keeps on committing the same crime over and over again? He has not even been found guilty/not guilty on the first crime yet he has just committed the third one. The community gets upset. The policeman get upsett. The public prosecutors get upset. WTF And there is one more issue particularly relating to St.Albans. The ANC led government in Eastern Cape promiss to quickly renovate two smaller local prisons. (Patensie and PE central) Only Kirkwood is still taking on prisoners. The job should have been finished last year but the money run out and the private contractors are dragging their feet (understandably). Corruption + affirmative action has hit them worse then a nuclear blast. I have tried to point out the issues a year ago already and what have I been toled? Get back to Europe! I am so tired of this s--t and the worst part is, nothing will change for the better. Not under the current management.
I am happy to disclose a few things about this prison as long as I am not asked to disclose my true identity. First of all there are a few misconceptions among the public at large regarding awaiting trial inmates. The chance of a absolutely not guilty citizen, ending up as a awaiting trial prisoner is almost zero (I would like to say zero but mathematics does not allow me to). While the judge has the final say in a criminal case, keep in mind, other instances MUST find you guilty just to be taken to court, never mind prison! Further, to end up as awaiting trial, the magistrate or judge MUST also agree that the evidence is overhelming AND the prisoner has some sort of history of not attending court cases AND the case is serious enough. Further, the prisoner MUST be a danger to the public. If not bail will be granted to such a amount which is affordable by the prisoner. (under circumstances free bail !) The prison at St.Albans is already overcrowded and the judges regularly receive letters to help reduce the numbers! Yet, the biggest problem ST.Albans has, is the number of awaiting trial prisoners on bail who commit NEW crimes. Indeed some prisoners are waiting for years to have their cases finalized. (I am not sure where the 5 comes from but will check it tomorrow). What are the judges supposed to do if a inmate out on parol or bail, keeps on committing the same crime over and over again? He has not even been found guilty/not guilty on the first crime yet he has just committed the third one. The community gets upset. The policeman get upsett. The public prosecutors get upset. WTF And there is one more issue particularly relating to St.Albans. The ANC led government in Eastern Cape promiss to quickly renovate two smaller local prisons. (Patensie and PE central) Only Kirkwood is still taking on prisoners. The job should have been finished last year but the money run out and the private contractors are dragging their feet (understandably). Corruption + affirmative action has hit them worse then a nuclear blast. I have tried to point out the issues a year ago already and what have I been toled? Get back to Europe! I am so tired of this s--t and the worst part is, nothing will change for the better. Not under the current management.
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