Pretoria – Former gang leader Rashied Staggie was on Monday granted day parole as a second chance given to him by the Pollsmoor Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB).
This after he violated his earlier parole conditions, which he was granted on 23 September 2013. His parole was, however, revoked in December because he met members of gangs and made unauthorised visits.
“This phase and privilege of day parole begins today and would end 17 September 2014, after which he would qualify for full parole placement up to the completion of his sentence in 2017,” the Department of Correctional Services said on Monday.
The offender has stricter conditions this time, which include: securing of a job to which he will be released on a daily basis from 6am to 7.30pm; tagging for electronic monitoring to ensure compliance and confinement to his local district; no commitment of any crime or use of drugs or alcohol; and no contact or involvement in any gang activities.
Staggie will, however, remain in custody, pending the securing of a job.
The department said day parole is used to ensure that high risk offenders, eligible for placement on parole, are given a trial period with strict conditions, which include returning to sleep at the correctional centre on a daily basis.
The Pollsmoor CSPB approved his day parole on 14 February 2014, subject to stricter conditions. When Staggie completes his day parole, he will be have to do community service for a period of 18 months, with effect from September 2014.
He will need permission to leave the prescribed magisterial district or to visit gangster hot spots such as Mannenberg.
“The Department of Correctional Services treats non-compliance with parole conditions very seriously and any violation or failure to report back could mean an escape and is a criminal offence which can net a fine or an incarceration period of up to 10 years or both, in terms of section 117 of Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998 as amended.
“This is therefore a warning to would be culprits to honour their parole conditions,” said the department.
It reported that compliance with parole conditions continues to improve, as it moved from 72% in 2009 to 84% in 2013/14 financial year. Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says he expects this to further improve with the introduction of electronic monitoring. – SAnews.gov.za
