Only inmates convicted of petty crimes will go free, says Lamola
“Many of the prisoners who stand to be released do not have families or homes to return to. Those who do may well return to a home where there is already little or no food,” she said.
“Finding employment, difficult enough under the best of circumstances for those with a criminal record, will be impossible in the current economy.”
Breytenbach added these factors would increase the possibility of re-offending, contributing to South Africa’s high recidivism rate and it would add a high social burden on already struggling families and communities.
She said the government should have explored alternative means of reducing overpopulation in prisons, such as converting unused Department of Public Works properties into low-security correctional facilities for petty offenders and those nearing the end of their sentences.
“The unsanitary and unsafe conditions in our prisons are not recent, nor or are they the result of the virus. These conditions are the results of 26 years of neglect and failure to upgrade prisons in line with the increasing inmate population.
“Early release should only be considered if there is a social worker’s report that indicates that the offender has shelter to return to, will not place an unnecessary financial burden on relatives, and is at low risk of re-offending, with proper processes in place to allow community corrections to deal with a deluge of parolees.
