Watch: Video of Boksburg prisoners retaliate against search operation for cellphones
Department of Correctional Services says the increase of cellphones in prisons is a grave concern and it will be removed.
A video is circulating of a group of prisoners at the Boksburg Correctional Centre who became unruly and retaliated against a mandatory search operation and barricaded a sectional gate in a bid to hide their illegal cellphones on Monday 2 January 2023.
WATCH: INCREASE OF CELLPHONES IN PRISON IS A GRAVE CONCERN
Singabakho Nxumalo, Spokesperson Department of Correctional Services (DCS), says this was in retaliation to a mandatory searching operation by the DCS National Task Team as part of its Festive Season Security Operation.
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WATCH: IMAGES AND VIDEO SHOWS PRISONERS MAKE A MOCKERY OF THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM
Nxumalo says the increase in mobile phones and other contrabands is a grave concern for the department, and these will be removed from the facilities.
“Some images circulating via social media emanate from inmates, making a mockery of the correctional system.
Singabakho Nxumalo
The department has noted the comical acts by inmates captured through illegal cellphones to divert attention from their deviant behaviour.
“We will remove these contrabands without fear,” says Nxumalo.
Nxumalo says this indicates that the few unruly inmates who sought to prevent the searching exercise – knew that they were hiding contraband in their cells.
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“We will never tolerate undermining of the Correctional Services Act by unruly inmates who continue to unleash terror to communities and officials through acts of crime even when they are under lawful custody.
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“Those who possess and smuggle them to our facilities. The perpetrators have identified themselves through social media platforms, and their action will assist in the disciplinary processes.”
The DCD will launch a full-scale investigation saying the Festive Season Security Operation shall continue as per the schedule.
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The DCS says there is a reason why the justice system removed some people from society for rehabilitation.
The DCD is in the process of identifying the culprits and taking corrective measures against them.
