Overcrowding and budget challenges in South Africa's correctional facilities

WITHIN three months, 6571 more inmates occupied prisons throughout South Africa, bringing the total population of inmates to 166924 as of December 31, 2024.

- ZAINUL DAWOOD

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) presented the 3rd Quarter Performance Report for the 2024/25 financial year to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services yesterday, noting that the prison population increased from 160353 on September 30, 2024.

In the DCS report, reference was made to the capital budget being underfunded by R222 million, constraining infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.

The DCS stated that food costs have surged, driven not only by inflation and a growing inmate population, but also by the rising number of foreign nationals housed in correctional facilities, which were experiencing the highest concentration of this challenge.