Progress: Implementation of Correctional Supervision and Parole Board ….(Durban Management Area)…..

Building a caring correctional system that truly belongs to all

Presentation to Port Folio Committee

5 September 2006

• D.M Shozi- Hons (Business / Administration and Adult Education)

• Employment (1995-98, NASA ABET NGO)– Facilitator and Training Co-ordinator– (1998-2001) Centre for Public Participation Training Manager– 2001-2005: Gender Commission: KZN Provincial Manager– 1998-2004 Part -time tutor for Unisa

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

• M Adams: Masters Medical Science/ Social work• 1989-1990 Dept Social Welfare (Field Social Worker)• 1990-1997 St. Thomas Children’s Home (Social Worker)• 1997-2002 St. Thomas Children’s Home (Principal)• 2002-2004: Part time Unisa Supervisor for Social work Students• 2002-2003 Association for the Physically Challenged (Fund

raiser)• 2003-2005 Association for the Physically Challenged (Social

Work Manager)

Composition of the Board

• Two Boards serve the Durban Management area, based at Westville Correctional Centre

• Total population is 6007• Adults: 5109• Juveniles: 898

Composition of the Board

• CSPB number 1• Chair: experienced and skilled in understanding human behavior

• Vice-Chair: +-33 experience at DCS: DD level; fully understands DCS Processes and procedures and supportive to Chairpersons.

• Secretary+- 27 years experience at DCS at SCO level, facilitating formal sittings

• Clerk: 20 years experience at DCS (grade 2) level highly competent at the implementation of the DCS policies and procedures

• Community members-

• 1. Community Dev worker (ex IPV member)

• 2. Educator

Composition of the Board

• CSPB 2• Chair: skilled in community development and understanding

the disadvantaged sector• Vice chair: Vacant post• Secretary: Skilled in DCS procedures and processes, 10 years

DCS experience, SCO• Clerk: 9 years experience at Grade 1 level , competent in

managing all human resources tasks• Community Member• 1. Community development Worker• 2. Vacant post

Composition of the Board

• Vacant posts

• Vice- Chairperson: Resigned for opportunity abroad• 2 Clerks : resigned – personal reasons• Community Member: Resigned due to opportunity for full time

employment at Dept of Education

Methodology

• Procedure• CSPB1 : responsible for Med B • CSPB 2: responsible for Umzinto, Med A, Med C, Youth Centre

and Female• CSPB engages in regular liaisons and consultations with

respective CMCs• CMC’s forward the comprehensive G326 to respective CSPB• CSPB registers receipt of G326 to the respective CSPB• CSPB registers receipt of G326, clerk formally checks and

verifies documentation and accuracy of calculations, hands over to the secretary for further handling.

• On completion, secretary in consultation with the Chairpersons determines the agenda

Methodology

• CSPB sitting is scheduled and all relevant stakeholders informed of sitting

• Sitting is held at the respective Centre• CSPB is formally introduced to offenders scheduled for the

sitting• Offender is considered and informed of the decision taken

through a formal minute procedure based on the G326• Victim is considered upon request, physically or written

submission

• CMC – compiling a comprehensive G326 with a clear recommendation

• Offender attests to a rehabilitation pathway and development

• Victim – opportunity for their view to be heard and considered

Role

OPERATIONS

July 2005Total 128Parole 73Correctional Supervision 12

AUGUST 2005Total 170Parole 101Correctional Supervision 14

SEPT 2005Total 206Parole 112Correctional Supervision 08

October 2005Total 236Parole 93Correctional Supervision 9

Operations

• November 2005• Total 223• Parole 91• Correctional Supervision 17

• December 2005• Total 154• Parole 61• Correctional Supervision 8

• JAN 2006• Total 139• Parole 45• Correctional Supervision 09

Operations

• FEBRUARY 2006• Total 114• Parole 45• Correctional Supervision 6

• March 2006• Total 191• Parole 55• Correctional Supervision 6

• April 2006• Total 149• Parole 74• Correctional Supervision 18

Operations

• May 2006• Total 174• Parole 84• Correctional Supervision 14

• June 2006• Total 215• Parole 130• Correctional Supervision 17

• July 2006• Total 157• Parole 92• Correctional Supervision 22

• August 2006• Total 124• Parole 64• Correctional Supervision 13

OPERATIONS -TOTAL

• TOTAL DAY PAROLE = NIL• TOTAL MEDICAL PAROLE= 15• TOTAL OFFENDERS CONSIDERED= 2380• TOTAL OFFENDERS GRANTED PAROLE= 1120• TOTAL OFFENDERS GRANTED CORRECTIONAL

SUPERVISION= 173 • TOTAL SPECIAL REMISSIONS, 36 APPLICATIONS WERE

RECEIVED IN AUGUST THE MATTER IS IN PROGRESS.

• On inception facilitating amnesties• Personnel experienced difficulty in complying

with meeting the requirements of the G326 as per CSPB Manual i.e..

- SAPS 62- SAPS 69©- Sentence remarks- Family confirmation- Integrated reports- Vocationalist reports- NGO’s and CBO’s reports

Inclusion of any other reports that reflect offender has engaged in a pathway of rehabilitation

Challenges

• Complainants , Department of Justice, SAPS input• Absence of SAPS and Department of Justice • Non availability of offender risk profile• Management of restorative justice currently undertaken by CMC,

Social Workers and Spiritual Care Workers• Offenders who have lost contact with their families e.g. street children

and migrant laborers • Offenders whose families are non accepting e.g. domestic violence• Offenders whose community is non accepting e.g. community violence• Implementation of day parole• Conversion Applications• Professional turn over especially social workers and psychologists • Disadvantaged: illiterate, poor, unskilled, mentally and physically

challenged, women, children, youth and elderly, access to community resources

CHALLENGES

STEPS TAKEN AND RECOMMENDATION TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES

• CSPB and CMC’s worked vigorously to comply with the amnesty deadline

• Formalized meetings between CMC’s and CSPB’s has successfully contributed to a improved G326 document (minutes of meeting available)

• Liaisons feature with the SAPS and the Court on the need for 62’s, 69©’s and sentenced remarks – Slow positive changes is noted in this regard

• Matter is under discussion in respect of Department of justice and SAPS input

• Offender risk profile – matter is in progress and personnel are in training

• Restorative justice is a highly sensitive issue and requires revisiting with regards to personnel capable of managing

• Offenders who are rejected by their families or communities are referred to Social Workers and Religious Care Workers by CMC

STEPS TAKEN AND RECOMMENDATION TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES

• However the need for after care facilities for such offenders requires further investigating

• Feasibility and implementation of day parole needs to be re-visited in the region

• Conversions: Durban is the only Management Area in the KZN region that has failed to meet the conversion of sentences in terms of section 276(A) 3(a) and (b). This is due to offenders preferring not to opt for conversions. CSPB will market this option and encourage this to be considered by offenders

• Professional turnover is beyond the control of CSPB• All personnel, particularly at the quarterly meetings, CMC are

reminded of the need to prioritize the disadvantaged and after care options is critical to this sector.

LESSONS LEARNT

• Regular meetings with AC, Corrections, Head of Correction Centre, Case Management Committees, Professionals, Area Commissioners Office, Provincial Commissioners Office, Head office (Pretoria), impacts positively on CSPB processes and the forging of such partnership is critical

• Networking is also of great value and particularly with NGOs and CBOs

• The formalisation of a strategy and marketing plan clearly defines a goal orientated direction for CSPB

• Consistent CSPB sittings has alleviated overcrowding and the influx of court and attorney queries, as well as the number of Sentence Expiry Date (SED) applications has been greatly reduced

• Public involvement features prominently in the marketing plan through attendance at the service provider meetings, stakeholders forums and a partnership with the Amakhosi is being forged.

SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Chairpersons and Community members are part of societal structures and obliged to uphold this societal responsibility

• Durban Management Area marketing Strategy outlines how this societal responsibility is fulfilled through ongoing consultations with external service providers

Thank you

Building a caring correctional system that

truly belongs to all