Heather Hogan
Police from the Middelburg police station in Mpumalanga were so determined to stop escapes from its holding cells that they decided to take action themselves.
With the help of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Middelburg and other police stations have implemented a new cell management programme that has not only prevented prisoners from escaping, but almost eliminated the chances of police involvement.
Last year 4 328 prisoners escaped from holding cells.
At the Middelburg police station holding cells accommodate 700 prisoners a month, including awaiting-trial prisoners. Since implementing the cell management programme, nicknamed Papillon, the station has had only one attempted escape.
Holding cells are built to accommodate prisoners for up to 48 hours, but due to overcrowding of prisons, awaiting-trial prisoners end up being housed in them for extended periods.
The system has also been implemented in Blinkban, Pietersburg and Krugersdorp, and the initial cost of R35 000 covers five cells.
Papillon combines sensors above and below the metal grid covering the recreation areas. Almost 82% of all escapes are through these grids.
Sensors are also connected to doors and a laser beam runs directly outside all cell windows. Sensors can even be programmed to detect whether prisoners are tampering with the lights.
The computer controlling the system is operated with a mouse and individual identity tags. There is a back-up electricity supply in case of a power failure.
The computer also notifies officers when it is time to inspect the cells. It keeps a record of every time the doors are opened, whether cells are in fact checked and who is operating the computer.
Optional extras with Papillon include panic buttons for officers patrolling cells and camera surveillance systems.
Papillon is not a government project and Middelburg police station’s Provident Club saved for three years to install the system.
“The major hiccup is finances,” said police communications officer Superintendent Martin Aylward.
“Although the South African Police Service would like to see Papillon implemented nationally, only stations with their own funds can do it.”