4. The Committee published an invitation for public comment on the Bill in four national newspapers, and received written submissions from the eight organisations listed below. All, but the Commission for Gender Equality participated in the public hearings held on 25 January 2011. The National Prosecuting Authority withdrew its submission on 27 January 2011. Eight written submissions were received from: National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO); Civil Society Prison Reform Initiative (CSPRI); Commission for Gender Equality (CGE); Omega Research Foundation and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Arms Management programme; ISS Crime and Justice Programme; South African Medical Association (SAMA); Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS); and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).