Dept refutes inmates' segregation claims

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Pretoria - The Department of Correctional Services has refuted claims that six inmates at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre were placed in isolation cells in a basement called “the Cave”, after being labelled troublemakers.

“The department wishes to state categorically that these inmates were not segregated, but separated for operational reasons with access to their amenities. This measure was taken while the local management was conducting an investigation,” the department said in a statement.

It added that the inmates were not punished nor charged for any misconduct.

“The six offenders were separated with accommodation provided in single cells of Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre from 26 June 2015 to 10 July 2015. Since then they were moved to other sections of Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre,” the department said.

By law, inmates may be segregated only after an investigation and a disciplinary process, which would result in the institution of segregation as a penalty, where their amenities are reduced or restricted.

The penalty of this form requires strict assessment, monitoring and reporting to the Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services.

In terms of the law, the National Commissioner of Correctional Services may separate or accommodate inmates separately as one of the tools for effectively managing the conduct of inmates.

Meanwhile, the department said it welcomed the investigation by the Human Rights Commission into the matter and reiterated its commitment to uphold the constitution, legislation, its policies and international conventions endorsed by the South African government. - SAnews.gov.za