Inmates are seen sitting at the male section of the Johannesburg Correctional Centre also known as Sun City Prison, South Africa, on April 8, 2020. (Photo by Michele Spatari / AFP)
The decision comes after a call from the United Nations to depopulate prison systems.
Inmates are seen sitting at the male section of the Johannesburg Correctional Centre also known as Sun City Prison, South Africa, on April 8, 2020. (Photo by Michele Spatari / AFP)
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the parole of almost 19 000 prisoners in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 in correctional centres.
The announcement, expected to be expanded upon by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola on Friday afternoon, comes as the number of COVID-19 infections in six South African prisons rises to over 165. The president’s decision to parole low risk prisoners follows directives issued by the United Nations (UN).
Recently, the UN noted that prison populations should be decreased to prevent an explosion of infections within the penal system. South African prisons, which are notoriously overcrowded and unsanitary, have been highlighted as potential hotbeds of infection.
As a result, Ramaphosa is expected to parole 12% of the country’s prison population. A statement issued by the Presidency on Friday morning, noted:
“The President has taken this decision in terms of Section 82(1)(a) of the Correctional Services Act of 1998 which empowers the President to authorise at any time the placement on correctional supervision or parole of any sentenced prisoner.
The decision taken by the President to combat the spread of COVID-19 in correctional centres could relieve our correctional services facilities of just under 19 000 inmates out of a population of 155 000.”
The Presidency reiterated that the mass parole project would only be extended to prisoners who had served their minimum detention period, adding that inmates convicted of the following would not be liable for parole:
This is a developing story – more details to follow