Thank you. Chair and hon members, you will recall that Cabinet took a decision in 2006 to transfer the function of the management of remand detention to the Department of Correctional Services, DCS. In 2009, a Cabinet lekgotla took a decision that there should be a White Paper developed to regulate the management of remand detainees.
The department has dealt with the increasing numbers of awaiting-trial detainees in the centres through the following interventions: With regard to the White Paper on Remand Detention, upon our appointment in 2009, an interdepartmental team was set up to investigate a new system for the management of remand detention.
The task team comprised representatives of the Department of Correctional Services, SA Police Service, State Security, Department of Health, National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The team has developed a White Paper on the management of remand detainees. The White Paper has been approved by Cabinet and is currently going through the parliamentary process.
That White Paper process has also resulted in proposed amendments to the Correctional Services Act. The Bill is currently in the parliamentary process. It proposes a new remand detention branch to specifically focus on the management of remand detainees. It also provides for distinct remand detention facilities to house detainees. Through this Bill, there shall also be provision to regulate the various responsibilities of the security cluster departments that are involved in the management of remand detainees.
Further, the DCS participates in the monthly deliberations of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster at national, provincial, and local levels, again paying particular attention to overcrowding by remand detainees. Thank you.