1 Mpho Mathabathe: Researcher Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services Analysis of DCS Annual Report (2008/09)

2 Introduction The purpose of this presentation is to assist the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on its oversight over the Annual Report of DCS The presentation will identify technical problems with the Annual Report Describe the extent to which the Department’s activities for 2008/09 were aligned to government’s priorities, especially those aligned to the 2008 State of the Nation Address Summarize and analyze the extent to which DCS achieved its targets set for 2008/09 per programme and identify some concerns and raise questions around the performance of the Department

3 Technical Aspect Over the years significant improvements were registered in DCS Annual Reports However, this report is not as detailed as the previous one Due to lack of details in the report, the extent to which the target has been achieved or not achieved requires the reader to use the Strategic Plan Ideally one should be able to make an assessment on performance based only on the Annual Report itself

4 Alignment with government policy and direction Repeat offending Implementation of Victims’ Charter Revamping of the Criminal Justice System

5 Key successes in 2008/09 General decline in fraud, corruption and maladministration Approval by Parliament of the Amendments to the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998 Strengthening of security in correctional centers Cabinet approval of the Branch on Remand Detention Establishment of a project office to ensure that key projects are aligned to strategies and coordinated Training of senior managers on leadership development Training of middle managers on Management Development

6 Key challenges in 2008/09 Continued overcrowding of the correctional centers which impacts negatively on service delivery including three meals a day and implementation of 7 day establishment Implementation of biometric security infrastructure continues to be a challenge especially since there was a budget cut Lack of stability at senior management level as a result of resignation and suspension of other senior managers The medical parole issue under the spotlight

7 Composition of Inmates At the end of March 2008 DCS had offenders At end of March 2009 there were offenders, which is 607 less than previous year awaiting-trial offenders and sentenced (end of March 2009) aggressive crime, economic crimes, sexual offences

8 Composition of inmates (Cont..) There is a notable decrease of awaiting trial offenders from (in March 2008) to (in March 2009) Comparison between 2008/09 AR and 2007/08 AR shows that there is no significant improvement in the number of sentenced children March 2008, there were 845 sentenced children and March 2009 there were 840 sentenced children

9 Inmates population (Cont..) 635 sentenced for aggressive crimes, 287 economic, and 125 sexual crimes March 2009, 2597 female offenders incarcerated 1219 for aggressive crimes, 936 for economic crimes and 244 for drug related crimes

10 LESSONS FROM THE PAST Statistics shows that more people are becoming involved in aggressive crimes Our society is becoming more violent Inmates population (Cont..)

11 Administration Number of targets were MET Slight decrease in number of women in Top Management from 52(07/08) to 49(08/09) Number of policies submitted for approval but they take time to be approved Target for vacancies(7%) NOT MET as a result of moratorium on filling of non-critical posts. Vacancy rate 10.5% (08/09) Vacancy for Psychologist 68% (70.7% in 2007/08)

12 Overcrowding Target for escapes MET 65 escapes (2008/09) compared to 79 (2007/08) Target for unnatural death NOT MET The report does not states how many death were recorded and the actual cause of death Target for security infrastructure NOT MET. 66 Centres could not install access security controls as a result of non-compliance by service provider In 2007/08 budget, additional R100 million was made available for 2008/09 onwards for biometric access control equipments. What happened to these funds? Security

13 Integrated Justice System Number of policies and procedures still waiting for approval All COE’s and 51 other centres implement 3 meal a day and Unit Management offenders were involved in work. The AR does not indicate what type of work Could not install Video postponement equipments as a result of the delay in identifying appropriate facilities. Corrections

14 Care and Development Number of targets were NOT MET Target for Milk NOT MET (also in 2007/08) lit against target of lit Target for Vegetables and Fruits NOT MET Kg against target of Kg Development

15 Social Reintegration Number of targets were MET Target for Social Work Met and is encouraging that of offenders are from special categories. Target for Psychological sessions was not MET (9 073 against target of ) Care

16 Facilities Victim involvement in Parole Boards and Parole Review policy procedure are implemented in the regions but many victims are not taking part in these hearings The report continuously refers to Sec 276 of the Correctional Services Act but Correctional Services Act does not have Sec 276 (Pg 67) Social Reintegration

17 Prison Labour Target was not set for new centres and upgrading of existing centres Feasibility study project for new Head Office was re- registered with National Treasury. It is not clear why the project was re-registered. No progress report with regard to procurement of four new centres Facilities

18 Financials Total allocation for 2008/09=R12.3 billion Managed to spend 100% in each programme except security, social reintegration and facility Number of virements from one programme to the other Over spending of R483 million Requested additional allocation(R310 m) from Treasury but treasury did not approve Contrary to this, Treasury allocated R223.7 M

19 Financial (Cont..) DCS need to clarify what happened to R223.7 M allocated by Treasury since OSD was not implemented in 2008/09.