Latest articles on Pollsmoor Prison

Pollsmoor Remand: “They treated us like animals”

Videos Staff Reporter - 10 May 2016

Former detainees tell of being denied chronic medication and contracting diseases like TB while incarcerated in the overcrowded Cape Town facility.

Dining in Pollsmoor: The ethics of a prison restaurant

Article Staff Reporter - 8 Apr 2016

Pollsmoor prison restaurant serves the Cape Town public food. Milisuthando Bongela reflects on the ethics of running a prison restaurant.

Jailhouse cod with a dash of hijacking

Article Shaun De Waal - 7 Apr 2016

The interactions with the convicts were a highlight of the occasion. They seemed to be in very high spirits.

Filth, disease, sex and violence for Pollsmoor’s female inmates

Article Staff Reporter - 3 Mar 2016

Ruth Hopkins interviewed five women who are or were jailed in Pollsmoor Prison. They spoke of being traumatised by the appalling conditions.

A sickening state of affairs at Pollsmoor prison

Article Staff Reporter - 4 Feb 2016

Former inmates tell of being denied chronic medication and contracting diseases such as TB while incarcerated in the overcrowded Cape Town prison.

How Pollsmoor prison can kill you

Article Staff Reporter - 22 Dec 2015

The prison may have to clean up its act if an interdict launched by civil society that challenges the life-threatening conditions succeeds.

Thousands evacuated from rat-infested Pollsmoor prison

Article Azad Essa - 21 Sep 2015

At least 4 000 inmates are being evacuated from Pollsmoor prison after at least one prisoner died from a disease related to rat infestation.

Pollsmoor prisoners treated ‘worse than animals’

Article Staff Reporter - 17 Sep 2015

Lice, grime, broken toilets and six-hour waits for visitors: life is tough in Cape Town's Pollsmoor prison.

Public versus prison healthcare: What are the facts?

Article Africa Check Author & Bhekisisa Team - 18 Dec 2014

Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Thabang Makwetla claims that prisoners in SA have access to better healthcare. Africa Check investigates.

Inmates bring first-hand ordeals to the stage

Article Shireen Mukadam - 11 Jul 2014

"The Outsiders" - a play performed by inmates and parolees - makes a strong point about the reintegration of offenders into society.

New life for ex-Hard Livings leader Staggie

Article Staff Reporter - 3 Oct 2013

Former Hard Livings leader Staggie is being helped by Pastor Ivan Waldeck. But the fact that Waldeck was once a member of the same gang irks police.

Opinion: TB cannot be kept behind bars

Article Staff Reporter - 22 Mar 2013

World TB Day is on March 24: We look at plans to curb the disease's spread – in prisons and beyond.

TB ruling furthers prisoners’ rights

Article Niren Tolsi - 14 Dec 2012

But overcrowded prisons such as Pollsmoor may not be able to address their healthcare deficits. Niren Tolsi reports.

Juvenile offenders: Youth care centre at risk of closure

Article Staff Reporter - 16 Nov 2012

The Cape Town government may shut down a facility that gives hope to boys whom society has shunned. Ilham Rawoot reports.

Children in Pollsmoor

Article Staff Reporter - 16 Nov 2012

In February 2011, there were 861 children in prison, under the age of 18, and 54 075 youth between the ages of 18 and 25.

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