South African prisoners constitute 15% of the active Coronavirus cases recorded within the Correctional Services Department, while the overwhelming majority of active Covid-19 cases in the department - and across prisons countrywide - remains that of officials. Recent statistics released by the department indicate there are 1 227 active cases across prisons and correctional offices countrywide.

Overall the department has recorded 5 592 positive Covid-19 cases. The number of officials who have tested Covid-19 positive thus far is 3 669, whilst the number of prisoners is approaching the 2 000 mark. 

In May, President Cyril Ramaphosa formally authorised the release of 19 000 prisoners from the country’s overcrowded jails, on parole, in an effort to contain contagion in prisons. In early July, Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola, revealed that very little progress had been made at that stage, with regards to the release of the prisoners - with less than a quarter of those in line for parole being released.

“On 11 May 2020, the department began with the process to release selected low-risk offenders and initial releases started from 20 May 2020, as at 24 June 2020 the total number offenders released was 4 138," explained Lamola.

It was initially anticipated that the entire process would take a total of 10 weeks. More recently, OFM News’s Katleho Morapela reported 634 inmates in the Free State and Northern Cape had been released thus far, as a part of this batch. The latest figures pertaining to parole are yet to be confirmed.

Lamola’s answer to a question posed by DA Member of Parliament (MP), Werner Horn, on the Parliament Monitoring Group website, reveals that by 16 May, over 3 600 prisoners had been placed in quarantine.

The department has even brought in reinforcements to curb potential staff shortages during the pandemic, with non-centre based correctional officials being trained to assist at prisons as well as former officials. The department has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South African Defence Force to augment the services rendered by the department.

OFM News