Deputy Chairperson, there was previously no Medical Parole Advisory Board. All recommendations for medical parole were made by a medical practitioner to the Correctional Services Parole Board for consideration.
In terms of the newly established Correctional Matters Amendment Act of 2011, an independent medical report will be provided to the national commissioner, the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board or the Minister, as the case may be, on the appropriateness to grant medical parole in accordance with section 79(1)(a) of the Act.
Yes, an increase in the scope and magnitude of the work of the newly established Medical Parole Advisory Board is anticipated for the following reasons. In the Correctional Services Act of 1998 the criterion to be considered for placement on medical grounds was that the offender had to be in the last phase of a terminal illness, whereas in the amendment to the Correctional Services Regulations, 2004, an offender had to be suffering from one or more of the infectious and noninfectious conditions identified in Regulation 29A(5).
Previously, in terms of the Correctional Services Act, 1998, the process for consideration for placement on medical grounds was initiated by a professional nurse or medical practitioner, based on the offender's health and conditions, whereas in the new process application for medical parole can be made by the offender or any legal applicant, who can be a professional nurse, a medical practitioner, the next of kin or even a legal representative.
The answer to the next part of the question is yes, an organisational structure filling all the required posts for the Medical Parole Advisory Board has been approved for implementation. This structure reflects the following posts: chairperson, vice-chairperson, and 14 registered medical officers. A dedicated support structure has also been approved for each of the six regions and the head office. Furthermore, the department has identified three units, which will provide additional support to the board. Thank you, Chairperson.