Overcrowding has hit 'crisis levels,' says prisons boss

NATIONAL Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thubakgale has revealed that South Africa's prisons remain under severe strain due to overcrowding, with more than 170000 inmates detained over the festive season.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

CORRECTIONAL Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thubakgale revealed that the country's prisons remain under severe strain due to overcrowding.

(GCIS)

He said the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has an approved bed capacity of just over 107 000. This means that the inmate population far exceeds available accommodation.

"This level of incarceration represents the highest population recorded in recent years and has placed immense pressure on infrastructure, staffing, security management and the budget," Thubakgale said.

The situation was compounded by reduced court activity during the festive season.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Thubakgale acknowledged that the country's correctional system is under significant pressure.

"We have been managing a system that continues to grow steadily on a week-by-week basis," he said.