National review summit addresses parole system shortcomings

THE parole system in the country is under the spotlight over the next two days, with experts, including members of the legal fraternity and policymakers, identifying shortcomings in the system and stressing that the rights of both the victims and the offenders — who are released into the communities — should receive more attention.

- ZELDA VENTER

Offenders, according to the experts who delivered their representations yesterday, should receive more support once they are reintegrated into the communities. As part of the proposals, it was suggested that there should be a designated call centre to assist them.

It was also suggested by some experts that the government should provide them with financial assistance so that they could take up the skills and trades they have learned while incarcerated further once they are out on parole.

Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald officially opened the National Review summit yesterday, held at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria, which is running over two days.

The aim of the summit is to fix the parole system where it is lacking, especially in light of the many who in the past year reoffended after they were released on parole — especially those who committed murder and rape.