Progress: Implementation of Correctional Supervision and Parole Board Grootvlei

Building a caring correctional system that truly belongs to all

Presentation to Port Folio Committee

5 September 2006

Seipati Dichabe

INTRODUCTION

Chairperson of Correctional Supervision and Parole BoardA divorced mother of three, a girl (pharmacist), boy (engineer) boy (economist)Qualification; MA in Neuro-Linguistic from the University of Ottawa (Canada)Hobbies: Music (Gospel Opera) , Writing, ( School Language books)Boards serving: SA Geographical Names Council (Deputy-Chairperson)Free State Provincial Geographical Names Committee (Chairperson)Setswana Lexicography Board (Member)

LOCATION OF PAROLE BOARD

Groenpunt

Grootvlei

AREA THE BOARD SERVE

CSPB GROOTVLEI

Grootvlei Medium A & B

Mangaung (GSL)

Brandfort

Boshof

Ladybrand

Wepener

Winburg

POPULATION OF SENTENCED OFFENDERS SERVED

Grootvlei Med A & B 965

Mangaung (GSL) 2929

Brandfort 198

Boshof 76

Ladybrand 49

Wepener 67

Winburg 144

Total 4428

Composition of the Board

• CHAIRPERSON: S DICHABE• DEP CHAIR: VACANT• SECRETARY: G G NAMANE• TWO CLERKS: C KOTZE M M METSING• TWO COMM MEMBERS: VACANT (Interim Members: M D Pahlane and LM Padi)

Composition of the Board (Continue)

• Deputy Chairperson: Full time posts to be filled at ASD level posts have been advertised, currently occupied by a DCS member.

• Both community members are on a three monthly contract appointments the initially appointed members both resigned. (M D Pahlane and L M Padi: Interim Members).

• The members of the SAPA and DOJ have not yet been appointed to the board.

CASE LOAD PER MONTH THE PAST YEAR: 155 TOTAL FOR THE PAST YEAR : 1868 NUMBER PLACED ON: * Parole: 568

* Day Parole: 18 * Correctional Supervision: 61 * Medical Parole: 0 * SED: 51 * Further Profile: 1150

Special Remission: 16 - Possession of dangerous weapon: 4 (4 x 3 months) - Possession of drugs: 6 (6 x 2 months) - Theft cell phones: 3 (3 x 1 month) - Negligence with keys: 2 (2 x 2 months) - Good performance: 1 (1 x 3 months)

OPERATIONS

PROCEDURES THAT THE BOARD FOLLOWS

• Preparation for the hearing

* Submission of G326 by CMC

* Ensures that calculations of dates are correct

* Compilation of agenda

* Ensures that notices of sittings are send 14 days

before sitting to Offender, Offender

Representative ( If indicated)

Victim, Victim Representative (If present) All

Board members

PROCEDURES THAT THE BOARD FOLLOWS (Continue)

During the parole hearing

* Role of representatives are explained

* Ensures that all sittings constitute a quorum

* Consult with other CSPB’s in cases of co-accused

* Each offender’s case must be treated according to its own

merit

* Questions addressed during the sitting are based on info

from G326

* The chairperson allows members to vote for placement of

non placement of offender.

INFORMATION RELEVANT FOR DECISIONS TAKEN

– Each offender must be considered individually on own merit.

– Whether the offender has undergone rehabilitation and

developmental programs

– Type of crime is taken into consideration especially age of

victims in rape related crimes.

– Value and mass of drugs is taken into consideration.

– Remarks of the presiding magistrate play an important role.

– Consistency must be practiced in similar cases

– Offender’s historical criminal background

– General behaviour of the offender whilst incarcerated

– Information provided by both victim and offender and their

representatives.

- Positive support system

ROLES OF CMC. OFFENDER AND VICTIM

• CMC:

- Must ensure that all relevant information is provided

in the G326

- Provide recommendations for placement/non

placement of offender

- Provide condition for the parolee during the parole

period

- Ensure that all documentation are included in the

report (G326)

- Prepare document for special remission of offender

for the CSPB.

ROLES OF CMC. OFFENDER AND VICTIM (Continue)

• OFFENDER:

- To arrange for a representative for the hearing

- Must be informed by the CMC about its

recommendations forwarded to CSPB and must sign

to acknowledge.

- The offender must be provided with a chance to

provide information to the CSPB

- All decision taken by CSPB must be forwarded to the

offender

- The offender may request through the HCC to forward

a review of

decision taken by CSPB to the Review Board.

ROLES OF CMC. OFFENDER AND VICTIM (Continue)

• VICTIM:

- Must be allowed to provide a representative during the

hearing

- May be present at the hearing if he/she so wish

- Must be informed within 14 days about the date,

venue, and time of the hearing

- Must be informed about the decision of the CSPB

regarding the placement of offender on parole.

LESSONS LEARNED

• There has been a tendency of officials towards the lack of eagerness to implement policies and the Act. Through the quarterly meetings of all stakeholders held, the awareness and education of officials to implement policies and the Act has been positive.

• Most of the offenders placed on parole have skills but lack knowledge on how to make use of these when been placed out on parole. The establishment of parolee skills and development centres to encourage them to be entrepreneurs

• Due to the un-acceptance of and perception about offenders in some communities resulted in recidivism. The establishment of Restorative justice centres to address the a standing conflict between the offender and victim

LESSONS LEARNED (Continue)

• The community lack information related to the incarceration of offenders. The appointment of community members for the placement of offenders on parole has assisted with the implementation of the White paper on Corrections through Imbizos and public awareness meetings.

• Establishment of offender support groups has been put in place to assist with community re-integration process.

CHALLENGES

- Incomplete profiles reports G326 from CMC.– Lack of important documents such as SAP 62, Sentence Remarks– Lack of contact details of victims– Vacant posts of SAPS and DOJ representatives– G326 profile report from private prisons– Incarceration of short term offenders at Mangaung Max prison– Lack of sentence plans for offenders especially at DCS centres– Programs offered not related to the crime of the offender. Offenders been taken through Life skill programs despite the type of crime committed. Professional officials feel that the CSPB is interfering with their expertise and responsibilities. - Training of community members

CHALLENGES

– Offenders from communities outside the

jurisdiction of the CSPB

- Lack of acceptance and support for offenders from family and communities

- Offenders having been incarcerated for a long

period with having undergone rehabilitation and/or

developmental programs

ADDRESSING OF CHALLANGES

• The CSPB has taken a stance to return back all incomplete G 326• This still creates a problem as the CSPB relies on information provided by the offender during hearing• In some cases where the offender knows the victim the chairperson and the community members visit victims and request them to provide written reports if they can not personally attend hearings.• The chairperson would request the SAPS of the community where the offender comes from to try assist in tracing the victims.• A request has been made to the regional office to assist in • correcting the information currently available on the private prison

systems

ADDRESSING OF CHALLENGES (C0ntinue)

– Request are made for transfer of these offenders to DCS centres

– This problem makes it difficult for the CSPB to make concise decisions because the offender rehabilitation path is not implemented. This however is not the case at private prisons. Implementation of the unit management system has been enforced

– Recommended programs are still been requested by CSPB

from professionals

– The CSPB in consultation with Community corrections where

Offenders come from are addressing the problem

– Currently the CSPB has taken upon itself to liaise between families and communities through the assistance of professionals.

– The enforcement of offender to be engaged in rehabilitation programs by CSPB before decision on placement is considered.

Thank you

Building a caring correctional system that

truly belongs to all