WeeklySA_AdminJustice: Facility symbolises the global pursuit of justice rooted in humanity
By Monk Nkomo
Despite the fact that over the past three years 18000 ex-prisoners who were out on parole had re-offended, prisoners were deserving of dignity, respect and humane treatment in line with the principles of the late world – renowned icon, Nelson Mandela.
These remarks were made by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy at Drakenstein Correctional facility in Paarl this week. The facility is situated near the prison where Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years.
Ramaphosa said Madiba stood for the fair and humane treatment for all throughout his life. Mandela also believed that justice should not be measured by how harsh people were punished but by how faithfully human dignity was upheld even in the most difficult circumstances. The academy stood as a powerful affirmation of the values Madiba stood for and lived by and that continued to guide the country’s democracy.
‘’ The Nelson Mandela Rules advocate for , amongst others, humane conditions of imprisonment , the importance of rehabilitation of offenders , the provision of educational and vocational training for inmates and recognising the value of the work of prison staff’’, Ramaphosa said.
The new facility is expected to embody the letter and spirit of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules as adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
Ramaphosa added that the country could not talk about overcoming crime in South Africa without a frank , honest conversation about the rehabilitation of offenders, their re-integration into society and prevention of re-offending.
‘’ Our people are fed up with crime and at most times are inclined to the ‘ lock the door and throw away the key’ mentality when it comes to offenders. Yet this will not serve us in the long term as a country.’’
Offenders, the President said, came from communities, from families. They are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, daughters and sons. They are husbands, wives, partners, friends and colleagues. In as much as far too many in the country had been impacted by crime, there were many families across the country from whence the offenders came, and they too had suffered.
Once the offenders had served their sentences, they were released back into the community . It was therefore a priority that the community ensured that they were rehabilitated and provided with the necessary support to successfully re-integrate into society.
‘’The reality is that we have fallen far too short of this objective. Last year, the Minister of Correctional Services declared that over the past three years, more than 18000 ex-offenders out on parole, re-offended, including for serious crimes’’, said Ramaphosa.
Ex-offenders, he added, faced many challenges when they exit prison, particularly the stigma of having been behind bars. Many lacked financial stability. Because they have a criminal record, it was difficult , if not impossible, to find a job. Many ex-offenders left prison with untreated mental health and substance abuse problems. Rebuilding trust with family members and friends was perhaps the hardest of all.
‘’Countless offenders return to the same environment that contributed to them offending, where they are exposed to violence and drugs. Ex-offenders who were members of gangs inside prison are pressured to stay affiliated to the gangs even when they are outside the prison walls.’’
Ramaphosa said the Drakenstein Correctional Facility once again stood at the threshold of a new chapter in South Africa’s history. The training centre would carry Madiba’s name and carry forward his legacy of service, leadership and rebuilding.
‘’Facing social stigma, an unwelcoming environment and social isolation, far too many returned to a life of crime. The Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy is determined to break this cycle’’.
Last year, work commenced on refurbishing the Drakenstein Management Area Training Centre into this new facility.
It would focus on providing education, skills training and support to inmates in line with the Nelson Mandela Rules – extending the vistas of opportunity to inmates in preparation for life outside prison and those serving long sentences, a chance to better themselves.
Working together with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as the custodian of the Nelson Mandela Rules, the academy would ensure that training, practice and policy were firmly guided by the values Madiba stood for.
‘’This facility symbolises the humanisation of corrections, the elevation of dignity and the global pursuit of justice rooted in humanity,’’ Ramaphosa said.
