Presentation to Portfolio Committee on “Management of Security incidences” 5 June 2007

Presentation to Portfolio Committee on “Management of Security incidences”

5 June 2007

What is this presentation is about and areas that will be covered…

• The definition of security and the responsibilities of Correctional Services to the public,

• Analysis of the security threats, trends and incidences related thereto,

• Current policies and guidelines for management of security breaches,

• Post Incident Management and other Measures ,

• Challenges and Way Forward.

What is Security for DCS and areas are covered…• On overall DCS security operations seeks

to provide a safe and healthy conditions for all persons incarcerated, consistent with human dignity, and thereby enhancing security for personnel and the public

• Correctional services is part of the government wide security establishment

What is Security for DCS and areas are covered…

• We view ourselves as a government agency charged with rehabilitation of offenders but with security influences

• Our primary objective is to provide security to the public, protect our staff, provide protection and safety to inmates and services providers and stakeholders

What are the current security threats and elements thereof…

• Changing profile of crime in the country points towards decreasing trends, however,– trends that remains high involve sophisticated

syndicates– This increases unpredictable ATD population

and increases our maximum security inmates– In many instances our staff are not ready and

are vulnerable to corruption temptations

What are the current security threats and elements thereof…

• Our facilities are old and not responsive to new threads

• Rapid process of staffing present challenges of personnel readiness

• Delays in technology investments generated slow response to the changing environment

• Increasing ATD population increases vulnerability in our operations

• Inadequate systems for information sharing between agencies

• Overcrowding

What are the critical security indicators for DCS…

• Escapes• Number of maximum security sentenced

and awaiting trail• Inmates to inmates assaults• Inmates to staff assaults• Staff to inmates assaults• Inmates to service provider assaults• Unnatural deaths

There are instances of under-reportingThere are instances of under-reporting

Trends of escape in DCS over the last 10 years…

TRENDS OF ESCAPE IN THE DCS OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS

1244989

498 459709

205325

178 176 120 1130

500

1000

1500

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Where and why are these escapes…

• In excess of 50% of these escapes take place from within the correctional centres,

• Almost above 90% of these are ATDs

• In other instances ATDs escape from hospitals and courts

• The remaining percentage is medium to low security sentenced inmates from work teams and those transported to hospitals

ESCAPES: NATIONAL STATISTICS: AWAITING TRIAL DETAINEES VERSUS SENTENCED INMATES: 2004/2005 TO

2006/2007 FINANCIAL YEARS

89

63

45

82

49 48

020406080

100

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007

AWAITING TRIAL DETAINEES

SENTENCED52%

48%56%

44%48%

52%

• For the year 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 the largest number of escapees were Awaiting

Trial Detainees (ATD’s)

• In 2006/2007 this trend was turned around with 52% escapees being sentenced inmates

• The turn-around is contributed to the strong emphasis placed on ATD’s in Departmental Escape

Prevention Strategies

Comparative analysis between various inmate categories…

The trends in other categories of security risks…

Note: Statistics for 2006/2007 only available up to 28 Feb 2007

ALLEGED ASSAULTS: INMATE ON INMATE FOR THE PAST THREE FINANCIAL YEARS

1818 1720

956

0

1000

2000

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007



ALLEGED ASSAULTS: STAFF ON INMATES FOR THE PAST THREE FINANCIAL YEARS

369

360

372

350355360365370375

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007



ALLEGED ASSAULTS: INMATE ON STAFF FOR THE PAST THREE FINANCIAL YEARS

56

3

0

2

4

6

8

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007


UNNATURAL DEATHS: INMATES: FOR THE PAST THREE FINANCIAL YEARS

806052

020406080

100

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007

What are the contributory factors…

• Staff retaliation against provocation• Gang related activities• Change management problems in relation to

staff (slow paradigm shift)• Inmates interfering with normal operations• Inmates violating the security measures• Use of undue force violating existing policies• Negligence and non-compliance with policies• Changing profile of inmate population

The current DCS policies addressing the problems…

• Minimum Security Standards– Personnel measures– Technology measures– Information measures– Physical measures– Operational measures– Management supervision


• Personnel– Increased the staff complement by est. new

10000 entry level employees– Provision of security training to EST staff in

co-operation with the with SAPS and NIA– vetting of staff and internal capacity– Improving remuneration– Corruption prevention and investigation


• Technology– Installation of CCTV camera in 66 centres– Installation of walk through metal detectors in

66 centres, movement control and scanners– Motion detector fencing at 47 centres– An amount R100 million allocated for rollout of

security equipment in the next 3 years


• Technology– Use of two way radios– Biometric fingerprinting systems– Bullet proof vests for female officials– Inmate tracking– Video postponement


• Physical Measures– Improved Security fencing– Boom gates and spikes– Improved access control– Upgrading and renovation of facilities– Extension and building of new facilities


• Operational Measures– Operation Vala– Coordinated movement of inmates between

DCS and other security agencies– Improved sharing of information with other

security agencies


• Operational Measures– MATD project– Agreements with hospitals– Offender clothing– Special projects in identified centres

(Johannesburg, Middledrift, Pollsmoor)


• Information– Sharing of information with other security

agencies– Vetting of official– Improved information collection


• Management– Middle and Junior Management tailor made

training– Procurement of senior management training– Inspection and security audits– Post incident review mechanism– Training in conflict management– Timeous debriefing of inmates and staff

What are protocols for handling security incidents…

• Head of the Correctional Centre must report the incident to the Area Commissioner within one hour of the incident.

• Area Commissioner reports telephonically to the Regional Commissioner, Regional Head Corrections and Regional Head Communications.

• Regional Commissioner must inform the National Commissioner within an hour upon receipt of the information.

What are protocols for handling security incidents…

• Area Commissioner must ensure that a preliminary investigation is conducted within 24 hours.

• Matter must be reported to the SAPS within 24 hours.

• A full internal investigation report must be launched and finalised within 21 working days from the date of the incident.

The post incident review mechanism…• A system of peer review mechanism has been adopted

and is currently piloted in Gauteng region.• The Mechanism entails the establishment of a team of

senior officials who should make an assessment and report on the following:

- Whether all investigation recommendations have been implemented in terms of addressing the identified shortcomings and the taking of corrective actions.

- To report to the Regional Commissioner on progress made as well as any outstanding matters.

Other measures…

• Communication with staff and inmates

• Compliance Improvement Plan

• Procurement of new ammunition

• ORP processes

• Social Reintegration

What are the Challenges and Way forward…

• Development and implementation of 5 Year Security Plan

• Conduct Threat Risk assessment to inform vetting processes

• Amendment Bill

• MATD

• Building capacity for post incident staff support

What are the Challenges and Way forward…

• Rollout video postponement in 17 Correctional centres covering 40 courts

• Finalise and implement Anti-Gang Strategy

• Build capacity for implementation of OHSA

• Rollout of inmate tracking and identification verification system

Thank you

“An age of hope, a national effort for corrections, rehabilitation and social integration”

Presentation to Portfolio Committee on “Management of Security incidences” 5 June 2007

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