De Lille 'disgusted' at early paroles in absence of HIV tests for prisoners
2003-09-10. Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille has reacted with "utter disgust" to the release on early parole of 8 000 prisoners - apparently because some of them could be HIV-positive.
"Besides the obvious ramifications
governments' early parole will have on society, what is most concerning
is whether the 8 000 prisoners have been tested to determine their HIV/
Aids status," De Lille said in a statement last night.
"It is commonly known that HIV/Aids infections are rampant in prisons in South Africa.
"To release these convicted criminals who are capable of dastardly acts, without knowing their HIV status, will be to the detriment of the Western Cape, the fastest-growing province in terms of HIV infections."
Correctional services spokesman Russel Mamabolo said prisoners had the same rights as others in the community.
"We do not test prisoners for HIV unless this is at their request. It would be unfair and simply against the constitution to make them take the tests."
The department of correctional services has said anyone convicted of murder, rape and other crimes of violence will not be considered for early parole.
Only those not considered a danger to society and who would have been released on parole within 10 months would qualify, it said.
Published in the Cape Times
"It is commonly known that HIV/Aids infections are rampant in prisons in South Africa.
"To release these convicted criminals who are capable of dastardly acts, without knowing their HIV status, will be to the detriment of the Western Cape, the fastest-growing province in terms of HIV infections."
Correctional services spokesman Russel Mamabolo said prisoners had the same rights as others in the community.
"We do not test prisoners for HIV unless this is at their request. It would be unfair and simply against the constitution to make them take the tests."
The department of correctional services has said anyone convicted of murder, rape and other crimes of violence will not be considered for early parole.
Only those not considered a danger to society and who would have been released on parole within 10 months would qualify, it said.
Published in the Cape Times
