A report on the state of South Africa’s prisons by the Auditor General — described by the opposition Democratic Alliance as ”scathing” — reveals a serious lapse in maintenance standards that threatens both prison security and communities around prisons.
James Selfe, who speaks for the party on correctional services, said on Wednesday that the disturbing situation shows violations of both our own laws and international rules
”The 12 correctional centres visited by the AG [Auditor General] throughout the country were all found to be in violation of the standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners, as approved by the United Nations, which consist of 95 rules considered to be good practice and principles,” Selfe said.
”Moreover, these centres were found not to have proper maintenance plans, thus leading to a virtual collapse in the structure and buildings.
”In most cases, centres failed to comply with water and sewerage maintenance standards, thus risking contaminating rivers running adjacent to many prisons, and putting the health of staff and inmates, as well as the general public in the surrounding areas, in danger. At some centres, non-qualified staff had to operate sewerage plants.
”Many correctional centres have failed to properly maintain their boilers. On one occasion a boiler had exploded, causing the death of two correctional services staff members, and injuring many others. In fact, the failure to properly maintain the boiler infrastructure is a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
”Furthermore, these centres were found not to have firefighting equipment, thereby risking the lives of staff and inmates in the event of a fire.”
Selfe said that the lack of a proper maintenance system gives rise to security risks.
”At several centres, security fences were not properly maintained, and several security cameras and doors were out of order,” he said. ”In 2005 an inmate gained unauthorised access to the hospital area in the Baviaanspoort correctional centre as these security systems and cameras were out of order. As a result two nurses were assaulted and one nurse was raped.”
The Auditor General’s report comes on the heels of a presentation made by the special investigating unit to the parliamentary portfolio committee in May, Selfe said. The unit likewise found wastage and fraud in some repair and maintenance programme contracts at four correctional centres, including charging the department for work not done.
The DA will be asking the ministers of correctional services and public works what actions their respective departments had taken to address the Auditor General’s criticisms regarding the repair and maintenance of prison facilities. — I-Net Bridge