Progress: Implementation of Correctional Supervision and Parole Board Johannesburg

Building a caring correctional system that truly belongs to all

Presentation to Port Folio Committee

5 September 2006

• I am Vincent Jones

• Johannesburg Management Area is served by two Boards

• There are a total of 6075 sentenced offenders in the Area

INTRODUCTION

Composition of the Board

Board A• Chairperson : Mr Vincent Jones• Qualification : Masters in Theology

• Vice Chairperson : Mr SAJvdM Venter• Qualification : BA Social Sciences• Service in DCS : 36 years

• Secretary : Mr MS Makanyane • Qualification : Senior Certificate• Service in DCS : 15 years

• Community member : • Mr MV Nkuna• Vacant post

• Vacancies – reasons for vacancies• 1 Community member – not yet appointed

Composition of the Board

Board B• Chairperson : Ms MT Mokhobo• Qualification : Honours Degree in Social Work

• Vice Chairperson : Vacant

• Secretary : Mr M Bond • Qualification : Diploma in Correctional Services Management• Service in DCS : 12 years

• Community members :• Mr TP Msibi• Ms MI Mashatja

• Vacancies – reasons for vacancies• 1 Vice Chairperson – not yet appointed

• Case load per month for the past year : • Board A : 80 per month• Board B : 25 to 30 per month

• Total for the past year :• Board A : 714• Board B : 447

• Numbers placed on [combined statistics]– Parole 437– Day Parole 0– Correctional Supervision 42– Medical Parole 12

OPERATIONS

• Number of cases special remissions of sentences approved : 9

• Summary of reasons : Acting meritoriously; Protection of officials from attack; Providing important information to combat corruption; Information regarding escapes

• Periods of remission approved : 3 months for any kind of information; 12 months to save an officials life; 12 months for exposing corruption.

OPERATIONS

Procedure that the Board follows

• Full sitting of no less than 45 minutes

• Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, two Community Representatives, SAPS Representatives, Admininistration Clerk, Offender’s Representatives, Unit Manager/Work Supervisor, Vocationalists, Offender

• Format : Welcome, Introduction, Purpose, Verify information, Presentations by representaives [family/SAPS/ victims/vocationalists] Presentation by offender, Questions by members of board, Offender and non-board members leaves room, Board decides either by consensus or by voting to grant placement or a further profile date , Offender and non-board members called back and informed of the decision.

METHODOLOGY

Information that is relevant/ needed for decisions

• C.M.C. Recommendation• Rehabilitation programs• Social Worker’s report• Offender’s presentation• Section official’s report• Educationalist report• Psychologist report• Religious report• Family/NGO’s• SAPS 62 report on crime committed

METHODOLOGY

Roles of the various parties

• C.M.C.’s recommends• Social Worker reports on rehabilitation progress• Officials on behavior• Family members on support system if paroled.• SAPS on effect of offender’s release on the community• Community representatives on community acceptance

METHODOLOGY

What will be done differently/ has been changed in your approach since you started in position?

• Requested the full file from C.M.C.’s • Prioritizing medical paroles

• Societal responsibility : Involvement

• Organizes public information meetings jointly with Community Corrections

• We have used public school’s guidance periods to inform learners about parole issues

LESSONS LEARNED

• Public’s perceptions

• Address public’s misconceptions :

Unconditional parole releases

Parole placements goes against the decision of courts

LESSONS LEARNED

• Social Worker’s Programs: JHB 10 Social Workers for 6000 sentenced offenders. At times this shortage hinders rehabilitation.

• Sentence plans; not implemented yet in some Centers

• Sentence remarks from Courts

• Board rooms

• Day parole facilities

CHALLENGES

Thank you

Building a caring correctional system that

truly belongs to all