South Africa : Government spends R40 million on parole board offices

By Edwin Tshivhidzo

Middledrift - Correctional Services Department has spent over R40 million in the construction of 20 Parole Board offices nationally.

Correctional Services Minister Nqconde Balfour on Friday officially opened the 20th Parole Board office in Middledrift in the Eastern Cape.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Minister Balfour said his department has made good progress towards reaching the department's goal of building 53 Parole Board offices across the country.

Among other things, Parole Boards decide on whether the offender is eligible for release on parole or not.

In that regard, the Minister Balfour said R126 million has been reserved for that purpose.

"This investment means we take seriously the founding principles of our Constitution and the provisions of our legislation and policies that seek to mainstream and empower victims of crime in the administration of justice."

According to the minister, his department has over the past three years conditionally released on average of 54 offenders a month on parole or for placement under correctional supervision as stipulated in the Correctional Services Act and the Criminal Procedure Act.

Of those granted parole on a monthly basis, about 50 eligible offenders released per month cannot be released because of absence of permanent addresses and appropriate family and community support base.

"These are some of the factors contributing the high re-offending rates in South Africa, and that is why we have adopted the yellow ribbon campaign aimed at promoting giving of "second chances."

"I strongly believe these and other interventions will create greater awareness, promote acceptance of offenders that demonstrated willingness and commitment to change, as well as inspire our communities to take appropriate action including forgiveness and giving of second chances to rehabilitated offenders," Minister Balfour said.

The department is currently appealing to communities to welcome and gives offenders who had completed or released on parole to give them a second chance.

"We however believe that an overwhelming majority of our offenders are those that slipped in their lives and therefore have a great potential for rehabilitation and therefore deserve second chances," Minister Balfour said. - BuaNews