Pretoria - Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Hlengiwe Mkhize will on Monday launch Corrections Week in Modimolle, Limpopo.
The launch will take place during a visit to a care centre for children affected by HIV and AIDS at the Modimolle Correctional Centre where the deputy minister is expected to hand over food parcels.
Mkhize will also interact with young offenders who are involved in a vegetable garden project that produces food for needy children. The project was initiated by the department to ensure offenders plough back into their communities.
"Offender labour is an important step in our correctional system ensuring that offenders learn to take responsibility so that they can return to society as better people who know that crime does not pay," said Mkhize.
The theme for the 2009 Corrections Week is "Together doing more to break the cycle of crime".
The department will also use the week-long campaign to promote awareness and understanding of the South African correctional system.
Activities will be taking place across the country and at various corrections facilities and include exhibitions, church services, outreach programmes and open days for visits to facilities.
The week will culminate in celebrating African Corrections Day on Saturday
