Thank you Chairperson. The reply to the question is as follows: The Department of Correctional Services is managing such offenders in line with its strategic plan which states that all provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977 should be used to implement alternative placement options where possible.
Offenders sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment as an alternative to a fine in terms of section 287(4)(a) must be considered for placement on parole as soon as possible after their admission into a correctional centre. Regional commissioners are sensitised to ensure that all offenders within this category who qualify to be considered for placement on parole are considered timeously.
However, aspects such as the availability of support systems and a monitorable address - we need to find an address where we can monitor the offenders' movements - are critical in this regard and the lack thereof does not always allow for such placement. So, placements get delayed because we cannot get an address of a family who can take care of this parolee.
A total of 8 647 offenders within this category were released during the period 1 June to 30 September 2007 in terms of this provision. We also approached the courts, as Deputy Minister De Lange knows, to assist us with those who cannot afford their bail. We cannot just let them go. We've got to go back to the courts because it is important.
If you read today's report about Pollsmoor, the writer of that report totally missed the point of what we are doing, but the Portfolio Committee on Justice had a very good report. We cannot once a person is admitted to our centre - whether it is a pregnant lady or not - just say: Go away you are pregnant, we cannot keep you here. We don't have that right at all. We cannot release people on our own. That would undermine the justice system.
For awaiting-trial detainees, we go back to the courts and it is our biggest problem. For sentence prisoners, it is not a problem. For the awaiting trials it is the delays that take place between SA Police Service, the Department of Justice and our department that really cripple the whole system.
These two, SA Police Service and Justice, are assisting us in dealing with the management of awaiting-trial detainees. Again, I repeat this, whether it is a young child or older child, we cannot just release them. We have to go back to the courts. Therefore, this system must work because these three departments are critical to this.
So the report does not capture the gist of what the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development discussed. I've read the report today, it doesn't at all; it is too sensational. Thank you very much.
Progress regarding reintegration programme of inmates into their communities
151. Mr S Shiceka (ANC) asked the Minister of Correctional Services:
Whether the reintegration programme of inmates into their communities is bearing any fruit; if not, why not; if so, how has this been achieved? CO2956E