Response to Minister Skosana's early release of 8000 prisoners
2003-09-09. The decision by Ministers' Skosana's Correctional Services department to release 8000 prisoners on early parole has been greeted with utter disgust and concern from the Independent Democrats (ID). Independent Democrats leader, Patricia de Lille said today that she was deeply outraged that 8000 criminals countrywide would be released almost 1 year prior to their necessary and required parole date.
"Besides the obvious ramifications governments' early parole will have
on society, what is most concerning is whether or not the 8000
prisoners have been tested to determine their HIV/AIDS status. It is
commonly known that HIV/AIDS infections are rampant within the prisons
of 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 Western Cape disturbingly boasts as
being the fastest growing province in terms of HIV infections in South
Africa, said De Lille.
"The release of 8000 prisoners is a clear indication of the collapse of our criminal justice system. There is no proof that the 8000 prisoners have been sufficiently rehabilitated to justify their release back into the community. Their release will now serve as a motivation to existing and potential prisoners, as it is clear that police operations, our judicial system and jails do not serve as a deterrent to crime."
"Our communities who have perceived our criminal justice system as ineffective have lost confidence in the very government structure that is supposed to protect our interest and secure our safety. What the early release of prisoners indicates, is that the government cannot control criminals and that they don't have a strategic plan to reduce crime by ensuring proper deterrence. There is no doubt that the release of the 8000 prisoners will contribute to the already escalating levels of crime in the country - but more specifally in the Western Cape where new rivalry in the gang fraternity will increase. This will also contribute to the demotivation of police officers who are already tired of re-arresting the same criminals over and over again."
"Government is clearly outplayed by criminals and jails have been reduced to serve as nothing more than alternative accommodation for them," said De Lille.
"The release of 8000 prisoners is a clear indication of the collapse of our criminal justice system. There is no proof that the 8000 prisoners have been sufficiently rehabilitated to justify their release back into the community. Their release will now serve as a motivation to existing and potential prisoners, as it is clear that police operations, our judicial system and jails do not serve as a deterrent to crime."
"Our communities who have perceived our criminal justice system as ineffective have lost confidence in the very government structure that is supposed to protect our interest and secure our safety. What the early release of prisoners indicates, is that the government cannot control criminals and that they don't have a strategic plan to reduce crime by ensuring proper deterrence. There is no doubt that the release of the 8000 prisoners will contribute to the already escalating levels of crime in the country - but more specifally in the Western Cape where new rivalry in the gang fraternity will increase. This will also contribute to the demotivation of police officers who are already tired of re-arresting the same criminals over and over again."
"Government is clearly outplayed by criminals and jails have been reduced to serve as nothing more than alternative accommodation for them," said De Lille.
