Tracking systems that monitor the movements of parolees and probationers will be rolled out next year.
Democratic Alliance correctional services shadow minister James Selfe says the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has presented the project to the National Treasury. “The department has given it to the treasury as a future need. It will be built into the expenditure framework for next year.”
Deputy commissioner of communications, at the DCS, Manelisi Wolela says no figure has as yet been finalised with regards to how much the entire system would cost.
“At the moment, we are trying to get someone to reconceptualise the system and then we can present it to the market. We are in discussions for the tender right now.”
Selfe is positive the system will be rolled out next year, saying it is quite likely it will be implemented on time.
Every move
Each inmate will receive a bracelet that is connected to a satellite by signal and so the correctional officers will be able to monitor where these inmates are at all times.
“If the bracelets are tampered with, they set off an alarm,” adds Selfe.
He says that, although there is obviously an implication for people's privacy, he doesn't see it being a real problem for the system.
“One's privacy in prison is zero anyway. When one commits a crime, some of their rights, including the right to privacy, are limited.”
Tighter control
Selfe identifies several benefits that will arise from these systems.
“Some 15 000 offenders were readmitted for breaking parole conditions, that were not crime-related, in 2008/9. There are huge benefits [with this system] because if a person is a parolee or detainee, then the DCS can always know where they are.”
He adds that this is an efficient way to ensure parolees do not break their parole conditions. This means the department can responsibly release everyone that is held on small bail or fines.
This would also ease the overcrowding situation and would reduce the influence of gangs on petty criminals being incarcerated, according to Selfe.
The “Estimates of National Expenditure 2010”, released by the National Treasury, shows that in 2008/9, correctional facilities were overcrowded by 42%. Selfe adds that “23 centres in SA experience an occupancy rate of over 200%”.
“The savings would be enormous. People are incarcerated at a cost of R200 a day and now they can be let out into the community at very little cost.”
According to Selfe, courts now have a viable sentencing alternative to prisons, especially in the case of those offenders who pose a limited threat to society.
Share