Chairperson, I don't know what happened but the Minister seems to be upset today. But, I don't think one should just generalise in what you were saying, Minister. The ACDP, in fact, welcomes the amendments to the Correctional Services Act. For us it is of paramount importance that the correctional and rehabilitation services succeed in our country, with most correctional centres overcrowded with far more inmates than they were actually created for.
The ACDP acknowledges that inmates should be treated in a humane manner at all times. They must be protected against one another and against gangsterism and against some Correctional Services staff members. On the parole system the Bill intends to improve the administration of the system by streamlining communications and allowing better representation for inmates coming up for parole.
The Bill also seeks to create better opportunities with caregiving, NGOs and religious organisations. The Correctional Services Amendment Bill intends to broaden the relationship with communities and NGOs involved in a process of reintegrating offenders into society. Public participation is of outmost importance in an effort to ensure that when inmates return to society they do not choose behaviours which are unlawful and find themselves back in jail, either willingly or unwillingly.
The ACDP, therefore, supports the First Reading of the Correctional Services Amendment Bill.