The deputy minister inspected the centre on Tuesday to ensure that operations were running smoothly and that effective rehabilitation programmes were being implemented.
THE DEPUTY Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa, advised offenders at the Upington Correctional Centre that they were prohibited from taking their laptops into their cells as they could be used for “sinister purposes”.
The deputy minister visited the area on Tuesday to assess the quality of service delivery and inspected the facility to ensure that operations were running smoothly and that effective rehabilitation programmes were being implemented.
Holomisa interacted with inmates and officials and listened to complaints from both sentenced offenders and remand detainees.
“Some inmates requested to be allowed to take their laptops into their cells for study purposes. However, they were informed that they could only access laptops at designated study areas.”
He believed that this posed a security risk as the laptops may be utilised for “other sinister motives”.
Holomisa encouraged the inmates not to sit idle in their cells but to rather acquire skills and further their education.
“Those with supportive families or with resources should pursue studies at institutions of higher learning so that, upon their release, they can contribute positively to society.”
He added that some inmates also complained about delays in accessing their medication.
“This matter is currently receiving urgent attention. Currently, the Upington Correctional Centre collects medication for inmates at the pharmacy at Tswelopele Correctional Centre in Kimberley. There are plans to build a pharmacy in the Upington centre. However, all inmates currently receive all their medication in line with their prescriptions.”
The deputy minister also visited Marcus Mbetha Sindisa Secure School in Upington, where the Department of Correctional Services is working with the local municipality, through offender labour, to manufacture coffins for indigent families who cannot afford to bury their loved ones.
“It is encouraging to see inmates helping communities and contributing towards laying to rest poor people in a dignified manner.
“The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has various initiatives where we contribute towards community empowerment. Through offender labour, we have built houses for the poor, refurbished school furniture and assembled wheelchairs for people living with disabilities.
“We are looking for strategic partners who can work with DCS to enable us to make a positive impact on the lives of our people.”
The acting national commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, will lead a DCS delegation to Oranje Oewer Primary School to hand over dignity packs to pupils and establish a vegetable garden at the school on March 30.
Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services spokesperson Sechaba Mphahlele said parolees and offenders on probation would maintain the garden.
“The establishment of the vegetable garden is part of DCS’s efforts in ensuring that inmates spend their time while incarcerated meaningfully, contributing towards giving back to communities that they harmed.”
