/ 29 August 1999

COURT ORDERS JAILBIRDs’ PRIVILEGES RETURNED

THE Pretoria High Court on Thursday ordered that certain privileges be returned to awaiting-trial prisoners, The Star reports. The case was brought by five awaiting-trial prisoners who challenged last year’s decision by the Department of Correctional Services to clamp down on prisoners’ privileges. The order by Acting Judge Sam Maritz applies only to awaiting trial-prisoners, and means they may once again receive weekend visits, to get food parcels during visits, to possess musical instruments, radios music playback sets. They will also be allowed to use prison libraries practise hobbies.