1. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
Transforming prisons into correctional centres - places of new beginnings

2. SCOPE AIM OF DCS TRANSFORMATION 1993 – 2000
STRATEGIC REALIGNMENT SINCE 2000
KEY MEDIUM TERM DEPARTMENTAL OBJECTIVES
CHALLENGES FACING DCS
POLICY INITIATIVES FOR MEDIUM TERM
COMMENTS ON MEDIUM TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT
Commitment in 2001 to put rehabilitation at center of all it’s activities.
Internal strategic planning session in October Mvelaphanda.
Unit Management mainstreamed as vehicle for rehabilitation
Development of “Conceptualizing Rehabilitation” document in 2001
Development of corporate culture to support philosophy of rehabilitation & correction.
Corrections is much more that just crime prevention
Correction as holistic process that focuses on social responsibility, social justice, participation in democratic activities & contribution to making South Africa better place.
DCS can achieve it’s objective behavior & social circumstances.
DCS is State’s agent in rendering final level of correction.
DCS improving its operation in integrated governance framework.
Policies should be aligned with overall policies of Government & also that of other departments.

3. AIM OF DCS
Purpose of correctional system is to contribute to maintaining & protecting just, peaceful & safe society by —
(a) enforcing sentences of courts in manner prescribed by this Act;
(b) detaining all prisoners in safe custody whilst ensuring their human dignity; &
(c) promoting social responsibility & human development of all prisoners & persons subject to community corrections.
(Correctional Services Act, Act No 111 of 1998)
Correctional Services Act provides perhaps most succinct statement of core mandate of Department of Correctional Services, while at same time indicating function of Department in relation to South African criminal justice system. It states that:
“ purpose of correctional system is to contribute to maintaining & protecting just, peaceful & safe society by —
() enforcing sentences of courts in manner prescribed by this Act;
(b) detaining all prisoners in safe custody whilst ensuring their human dignity; &
(c) promoting social responsibility & human development of all prisoners & persons subject to community corrections.” (Correctional Services Act, Act No 111 of 1989)

4. TRANSFORMATION
Alignment of Department with human rights culture due to 1993 Interim Constitution led to 1994 White Paper
Appointment of Inspecting Judge
Affirmative Action process
Approval of National Crime Prevention Strategy in 1996
Demilitarization 1 April 1996
New Constitution in 1996 & Bill of Rights
New Correctional Services Act in 1998
Critical events in period:
Introduction of human rights culture brought about by 1993 Interim Constitution
Alignment of Department with human rights culture
Appointment of Inspecting Judge
Approval of National Crime Prevention Strategy in 1996
Demilitarization of Department of 1 April 1996
New Constitution in 1996 & Bill of Rights
New Correctional Services Act in 1998

5. STRATEGIC REALIGNMENT SINCE 2000
Rehabilitation placed at center of all DCS activities
Overhaul of internal strategic planning
Unit Management mainstreamed as vehicle for rehabilitation
Reconceptualizing of rehabilitation in 2001/2
New corporate culture to support rehabilitation & correction
Correction as holistic process
DCS as State’s agent in correction
Upgrade DCS involvement in integrated governance
Commitment in 2001 to put rehabilitation at center of all it’s activities.
Internal strategic planning session in October Mvelaphanda.
Unit Management mainstreamed as vehicle for rehabilitation
Development of “Conceptualizing Rehabilitation” document in 2001
Development of corporate culture to support philosophy of rehabilitation & correction.
Corrections is much more that just crime prevention
Correction as holistic process that focuses on social responsibility, social justice, participation in democratic activities & contribution to making South Africa better place.
DCS can achieve it’s objective behavior & social circumstances.
DCS is State’s agent in rendering final level of correction.
DCS improving its operation in integrated governance framework.
Policies should be aligned with overall policies of Government & also that of other departments.

6. KEY MEDIUM TERM DEPARTMENTAL OBJECTIVES
Implementation of White Paper on Correctional Services
Transformation and Restructuring
Construction of 4 New Generation Prisons
Human Resource Development
Framework against Corruption
Compliance with existing policies
Policy Development
Framework against Overcrowding
Orientation of Persons under Correction
Preparation of Correctional Centres for Rehabilitation
Information Communication Technology
External Relations
Improvements in Financial Management
Communication
International Relations
Research

7. CHALLENGES FACING DCS * CORRECTION, DEVELOPMENT & CARE SERVICES
* IMPROVED HUMAN RESOURCE CAPACITY
* CORRECTION, DEVELOPMENT & CARE SERVICES
* IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF SECURITY & FACILITIES
* IMPROVED ADMINISTRATION & INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY
* DCS ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY
* IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF ACCOMODATION

8. POLICY INITIATIVES FOR MEDIUM TERM
Implementation of White Paper on Corrections
Phasing out existing weekend (overtime) arrangement & implementation of seven day establishment
Implementation of Nutritional Services in accordance with Section 8(5) of Act 111 of 1998 & Regulation 4 of Correctional Services.
Infrastructure (Offender Accommodation)

9. COMMENTS ON MEDIUM TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT
WHITE PAPER ON CORRECTIONS:
Shift to rehabilitation & social reintegration as a challenge to DCS.
10 year implementation plan of White Paper
Current MTEF baseline not based on the new strategic direction – risk of implementing the White Paper over a period far longer than 10 years
MTEF baseline not aligned to the White Paper implementation plan – negative consequences:
* Hamper the process of rehabilitation
* Negative impact on effective corrections
* Increased risk of overcrowding

10. COMMENTS ON MEDIUM TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT
HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUES:
2005 Medium term budget policy framework provides for:
* Expanded policing capacity – resources not cascaded to DCS as this would result in higher rate of arrests & hence in Awaiting Trial Detainees;
* Improving salaries for police – negative impact on morale of correctional officers who deal with offenders on a more permanent basis who also need to fight crime through rehabilitation within the correctional centers;
* Improving efficiency of courts – need for more correctional officers to rehabilitate offenders;
* Increased risk due to increased member/offender ratio.

11. COMMENTS ON MEDIUM TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT
HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUES (CONTINUES) :
Phasing out existing weekend (overtime) arrangement & implementation of seven day establishment & filling of vacancies will address:
Compliance with Essential Service needs
Positive impact on unemployment / job creation
Positive impact on rehabilitation

12. Correctional Services values your role in breaking cycle of crime: in making rehabilitation work.
Thank you
Together we can strengthen social compact against crime, for better life.