Prison Population at 156,000

[LazyLion]

The latest figures show there are more than 156,000 inmates in prisons around the country, more than a quarter of whom are awaiting-trial prisoners.

"As at August 20 [this year], there are a total of 156,370 inmates in our correctional facilities, of which 112,416 are sentenced offenders, and 43,954 are remand detainees," Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said.

In a written reply to a parliamentary question, tabled on Tuesday, he said his department was committed to reducing overcrowding in its facilities.

"The [department] committed itself to reduce the level of overcrowding by at least two percent per annum in order to comply with the constitutional requirement to detain inmates under humane conditions."

Ndebele said correctional services had managed to reduce overcrowding in prisons from 38 percent in 2007/08, "to 28 percent as on July 30 [this year]".


Source : Sapa /rod/hdw/jk/jje
Date : 27 Aug 2013 14:09

 

[MKFrost]

The 156k figure is not that shocking. I was actually thinking it was far more than that.

What is however socking is the large number who is awaiting trial.

Also worrying is the reduction in overcrowding. We are not building new prisons so I guess that means those 'reductions' are back on the streets.

 

[Hemi300c]

The 156k figure is not that shocking. I was actually thinking it was far more than that.

What is however socking is the large number who is awaiting trial.

Also worrying is the reduction in overcrowding. We are not building new prisons so I guess that means those 'reductions' are back on the streets.

And the extremely high rate of unsuccessful convictions.

 

[AlphaJohn]

Well looking at current system, our prisons are more like training camps for criminals. It does next to nothing to rehabilitate people, and most of them in there are repeat offenders.

 

[MKFrost]

South Africa is currently ranked number one in Africa and ninth in the world, in terms of prison population with 160 000 inmates. This was announced by Minister of Correctional Services Sibusiso Ndebele in Polokwane last night.

He says every month 23 000 inmates exit Correctional Centres while at the same time 25 000 are admitted.

Source

 

[zippy]

37th when ranked by prisoners per 100 000

Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_incarceration_rate

 

[MKFrost]

37th when ranked by prisoners per 100 000

Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_incarceration_rate

Interesting how many of those top nations are located in the Caribbean/Central America....

 

[KleinBoontjie]

This is less than what it was, there was a time where there was 220k. I blame amnesty, a few thousand was release pre-maturely. Okay, most of them are back with repeated crime.

 

[friedpiggy]

So we all know the ANChor won't ever bring back the death penalty, so how about a three strikes you're out policy? Third conviction for a violent crime is automatic life in prison. And by life I don't mean 3 months like it currently is, I mean you spend the remainder of your life behind bars with no possibility of parole or early release.

Stick these people on robben island or something.

 

[RaptorSA]

Utter bullcrap.
In Africa, no-one is a criminal. Some just need a little bit of help to raise their Race-card... the rest just needs some help to raise money for a lawyer.

 

[Redeemed]

The problem with our management facilities is that the correctional clients come out hardened criminals.

 

[Grant]

There are way too many awaiting trial prisoners in the system.
One contributing factor is bail being set too high, in monetary terms - effectively denying bail.
If an accused is unable to afford the amount, magistrates should look at using other options like house arrest, or having the accused report daily or even twice a day at the local police station - this is an option available to magistrates that is not used enough.

The other, particularly in cape town, relates to homeless people, many of whom have charges for minor offenses against them.
Prosecutors regularly cite "no fixed address" as a reason to deny bail.
Because someone does not have a fixed address, it does not imply that they will not attend court again, furthermore, the local police usually know exactly where to find them on any day of the week.

I have always been of the opinion that only those whose charges include harm to another person should be held without bail.

 

[Albereth]

Surely awaiting trial folk should be moved to hospital waiting rooms. That would seem to be the most efficient way our justice system works.

And does the number of awaiting trial include the 400-odd sitting in parliament?

 

[intel8080]

What South Africa did was to half the sentences of EVERYBODY ! New and old cases serve only half the sentence after which they are released in 'correctional supervision' (which in half the country in non existent!)
Welcome to the new South Africa

 

[Grant]

What South Africa did was to half the sentences of EVERYBODY ! New and old cases serve only half the sentence after which they are released in 'correctional supervision' (which in half the country in non existent!)
Welcome to the new South Africa

You are a little off the mark there.
since the minimum sentencing act was passed, magistrates do not have the latitude to impose sentences appropriate to the crime of a specific accused. As a direct result thereof, the inmate population has spiraled.

 

[intel8080]

Now we are playing soccer in my court. Which act exactly are you referring to? Do you suggest that 'the act' leaves no room for discretion to the judges? Please clarify.

 

[Grant]

Now we are playing soccer in my court. Which act exactly are you referring to? Do you suggest that 'the act' leaves no room for discretion to the judges? Please clarify.

knock yourself out:
The Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997

 

[intel8080]

I thought you talk about some new act. Did you ever read the act you mention? Do you know how it is applied and when/under which circumstances? What does that act has to do with your original point? Please elaborate.

 

[Grant]

I thought you talk about some new act. Did you ever read the act you mention? Do you know how it is applied and when/under which circumstances? What does that act has to do with your original point? Please elaborate.

i have not read the act itself.
i have relied on comments regards the difficulties it presents from 2 "lawyer" friends.

 

[AwTroN]

Too bad for those "awaiting-trial" prisoners that their name is not Oscar Pistorius, they actually have to endure prison whilst waiting on trial.