Prison Journalism: Remand v. Sentenced

As someone who went to prison both on remand and as a sentenced inmate, in this article, I would like to emphasize the differences between being on remand and being a sentenced or a convicted inmate.

Understanding Remand

A remand prisoner is someone who hasn’t been found guilty of an offence and is not yet sentenced. Being found guilty is also called being convicted, and then you are sentenced. You can also be on remand if you have been found guilty; you are only waiting to be sentenced. If you are a remand prisoner, the prison keeps you until your next court appearance.

My Experience with Remand

Also, remand is the detention of an accused offender by a court as you wait for your date when you can get your sentence. In 2016, when I went to prison, I was sent to remand as I waited for the detective to investigate my case and to verify my address to see if I was eligible for bail.

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Differences in Treatment: Remand vs Sentenced Inmates

The biggest difference between inmates on remand and those who are sentenced, for instance, when we were in Pollsmoor, is inmates on remand are allowed to wear their clothes, but those who are long on trial wear yellow uniforms, but sentenced prisoners in Pollsmoor in medium A, which is for juveniles, we used to wear navy blue uniforms, while in medium B, they wear orange.

The Reality of Remand

According to my own experience, I would say inmates on remand in maximum prison are the main attention of the prison; that’s where gangsterism activities are mainly performed, smuggling of drugs, marijuana, and mobile phones. The inmates in remand are too overcrowded, and violence is the order of the day. I was in remand myself but not at maximum prison; I was at the juvenile section when I was assaulted because I had refused to wash the clothes of a gang member. With the things that I saw, I can say you are more likely to survive better in prison as a convicted prisoner than being on remand.

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Visitation Differences

Even the visiting days for sentenced prisoners are different from those on remand. In Pollsmoor, sentenced prisoners have their certain day allocated for their visits, while those in remand are allowed to have visitors every day as they will also be visited by their lawyers.

Mental Impact of Remand vs Sentencing

The mentality you have as a sentenced inmate and the sentence you have as an inmate in remand is so different because if you are sentenced, you know your fate; you know your future, that you are serving your sentence. When you complete it, you go home, but when you are on remand, you are always stressful; you don’t know if you are going home or not; you don’t know how much sentence you are going to be given. As someone who experienced it, I would not want to be in remand again; being in remand in Pollsmoor Prison is a terrible experience, especially at the maximum section; that’s where the whole action is taking place. Due to violence, inmates are forced to join gangsterism to protect themselves.

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Privileges of Sentenced Inmates

When you are sentenced as an inmate, you got more privilege than someone in remand; you might get work in prison when you see the parole board to reduce prison stress; you may attend programs. The time will be moving fast because you are not thinking too much, unlike when you are on remand.

I can conclude that if you are sentenced, you permanently belong to the prison, unlike on remand; you have the big chances of going home at any time, either by bail or by being given a suspended sentence. But when you are sentenced, you have to wait until your sentence is finished, unless if you get parole.

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DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

Should you wish to assist in the rehabilitation of former inmates and help put money into the pockets of those who have struggled to earn a living during and after incarceration, click HERE 

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

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