It is imperative that anyone who poses a danger to the public not be freed from prison under the latest large-scale release aimed at tackling prison overcrowding, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Friday.
While the DA welcomes the move to free 11 000 prisoners unable to pay fines of R1 000 or less, it said it will closely monitor the situation to ensure the move is not abused.
Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula said on Thursday that of 10 978 inmates who qualified for release, 6 135 had already appeared in court, reported the Star.
He said their offences related to less serious and non-violent crimes.
DA spokesperson James Selfe said the party had, since 2003, urged correctional services to use legislation allowing prisons to ask courts to impose alternative sentences on inmates unable to pay fines of R1 000 or less, to reduce overcrowding.
”The DA also strongly encourages the consideration of alternative forms of sentencing, so that the courts are not simply faced with the options of imprisonment or fines,” said Selfe. — Sapa