KWA-ZULU NATAL REGION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR PORTFOLIO
COMMITTEE
2ND SEPTEMBER 2009
ESCAPES FROM CORRECTIONAL CENTRES AND REMAND DETENTION
FACILITIES (PER 10 000 INMATES) PER YEAR.
BASELINE 2008/2009 = 13 (4.8 per 10 000)
BASELINE 2009/2010 = 12 (4.3 per 10 000)
ESCAPE CATEGORY
PERIOD
From
Centre
Work team
(perm)
member
Work team
(temp)
member
Public
hospital
Court
Escort
1 Jan 08 to 25 Aug 08
2
1
0
0
0
0
1 Jan 09 to 25 Aug 09
6
1
0
0
0
0
OFFENDER CATEGORY
PERIOD
1 Jan 08 to 25 Aug 08
1 Jan 09 to 25 Aug 09
ATD
1
0
MAX
0
0
MED
2
7
MIN
0
0
Total
3
7
ESCAPES FROM CORRECTIONAL CENTRES AND REMAND DETENTION
FACILITIES (PER 10 000 INMATES) PER YEAR. (CONTINUED)
ACHIEVEMENT
CHALLENGES IN DELIVERY
INTERVENTIONS
Jan to Aug 2009 seven escapes
(two incidents) was
experienced in the Region
compared to three (three
incidents) the same period
during 2008.
Escapes from work teams and from
centres needs to be addressed.
Compliance to the Escape
prevention strategy and
Minimum Security Standards
monitored during operational
visits.
Escape prevention strategy is
in place.
Escapes have declined over the
past financial years: 2006/2007
eighteen, 2007/2008 nineteen,
2008/2009 one. Although this
financial year to date seven
escapes have occurred, the
Region is still within its
baseline of twelve.
Escapes by Medium category offenders
is predominant.
Most smaller Correctional Centres is in a
dilapidated condition and don’t meet the
Minimum Security Standard
requirements. A lack of funds is being
experienced in order to bring it up to
standard.
Due to the present “Tighten the Belt”
exercise funds is not available for
Regional Coordinators and Area
Coordinators to monitor compliance to
policies and procedures effectively.
Operational visits can not be conducted.
Quarterly Security Analysis
compiled on Escapes, Assaults
and Unnatural Deaths whereby
threats, trends and lessons
learned is analyzed and is
assessed and measures
developed to deal with security
shortcomings. Provided to Area
Commissioners during RMC
meetings to implement.
NUMBER OF UNNATURAL DEATHS MEASURED PER 10000 INMATES
BASELINE 2008/2009 = 9.5 [10] (3.5 per 10 000)
BASELINE 2009/2010 = 9 (3.3 per 10 000)
UNNATURAL DEATHS PER PERIOD
JAN – AUG 2008
JAN – AUG 2009
INCREASE/DECREASE FROM
PREVIOUS YEAR
10
13
+3
UNNATURAL DEATHS PER CATEGORY
JAN – AUG 2008
JAN – AUG 2009
Assault Offender on Offender
2
2
Assaulted by Official(s) as result of
stabilizing assault Offender on Offender
2
6
Suicide
5
5
Alleged assault by/from SAPS Prior to
admission to centre
1
0
Total
10
13
NUMBER OF UNNATURAL DEATHS MEASURED PER 10000 INMATES
(CONTINUED)
ACHIEVEMENT
CHALLENGES IN DELIVERY
INTERVENTIONS
During Jan to Aug 2009 a total of
13 unnatural deaths was
experienced comparison to 10 over
the same period during 2008 which
indicates an increase of three.
Officials using excessive force
when stabilizing incidents.
Security plan for the protection of
inmates, officials, service
providers and the public to be
revised and amended.
This reporting period six (6) deaths
as result of assault by officials
during stabilizing incidents was
experienced an additional five (5)
suicides occurred. A further two (2)
deaths was as result of assault
offender on offender.
The baseline for unnatural deaths
for 2009/2010 is nine (9) and
already six unnatural deaths
occurred to date this financial year
indicating that the Region may
exceed its baseline.
Suicides by means of hanging and
overdosing need to be addressed.
Officials are ill equipped to deal
with mentally ill offenders.
Long period it takes to finalize
Post Mortems have a negative
effect on finalization of
investigations.
High prevalence of gang activities
have a negative bearing on
assaults leading to unnatural
deaths.
Specific training programmes to be
developed for officials in terms of
handling of gangsterism, conflict
handling, use of necessary force.
The Region is in process of
following up on Departmental and
Criminal sanctions imposed on
officials implicated in the deaths of
offenders. Specific information will
be updated by 15 September 2009.