KWA-ZULU%20NATAL%20REGION

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KWA-ZULU NATAL REGION ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR
PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE 2ND SEPTEMBER 2009
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ESCAPES FROM CORRECTIONAL CENTRES AND REMAND
DETENTION FACILITIES (PER 10 000 INMATES) PER
YEAR.
BASELINE 2008/2009 13 (4.8 per 10 000)
BASELINE 2009/2010 12 (4.3 per 10 000)
ESCAPE CATEGORY ESCAPE CATEGORY ESCAPE CATEGORY ESCAPE CATEGORY ESCAPE CATEGORY ESCAPE CATEGORY ESCAPE CATEGORY
PERIOD From Centre Work team (perm) member Work team (temp) member Public hospital Court Escort
1 Jan 08 to 25 Aug 08 2 1 0 0 0 0
1 Jan 09 to 25 Aug 09 6 1 0 0 0 0
OFFENDER CATEGORY OFFENDER CATEGORY OFFENDER CATEGORY
PERIOD 1 Jan 08 to 25 Aug 08 1 Jan 09 to 25 Aug 09
ATD 1 0
MAX 0 0
MED 2 7
MIN 0 0
Total 3 7
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ESCAPES FROM CORRECTIONAL CENTRES AND REMAND
DETENTION FACILITIES (PER 10 000 INMATES) PER
YEAR. (CONTINUED)
ACHIEVEMENT CHALLENGES IN DELIVERY INTERVENTIONS
Jan to Aug 2009 seven escapes (two incidents) was experienced in the Region compared to three (three incidents) the same period during 2008. Escape prevention strategy is in place. Escapes have declined over the past financial years 2006/2007 eighteen, 2007/2008 nineteen, 2008/2009 one. Although this financial year to date seven escapes have occurred, the Region is still within its baseline of twelve. Escapes from work teams and from centres needs to be addressed. Escapes by Medium category offenders is predominant. Most smaller Correctional Centres is in a dilapidated condition and dont meet the Minimum Security Standard requirements. A lack of funds is being experienced in order to bring it up to standard. Due to the present Tighten the Belt exercise funds is not available for Regional Coordinators and Area Coordinators to monitor compliance to policies and procedures effectively. Operational visits can not be conducted. Compliance to the Escape prevention strategy and Minimum Security Standards monitored during operational visits. Quarterly Security Analysis compiled on Escapes, Assaults and Unnatural Deaths whereby threats, trends and lessons learned is analyzed and is assessed and measures developed to deal with security shortcomings. Provided to Area Commissioners during RMC meetings to implement.
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NUMBER OF UNNATURAL DEATHS MEASURED PER 10000
INMATES
BASELINE 2008/2009 9.5 10 (3.5 per 10 000)
BASELINE 2009/2010 9 (3.3 per 10 000)
UNNATURAL DEATHS PER PERIOD UNNATURAL DEATHS PER PERIOD UNNATURAL DEATHS PER PERIOD
JAN AUG 2008 JAN AUG 2009 INCREASE/DECREASE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
10 13 3
UNNATURAL DEATHS PER CATEGORY
JAN AUG 2008 JAN AUG 2009
Assault Offender on Offender 2 2
Assaulted by Official(s) as result of stabilizing assault Offender on Offender 2 6
Suicide 5 5
Alleged assault by/from SAPS Prior to admission to centre 1 0
Total 10 13
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NUMBER OF UNNATURAL DEATHS MEASURED PER 10000
INMATES (CONTINUED)
ACHIEVEMENT CHALLENGES IN DELIVERY INTERVENTIONS
During Jan to Aug 2009 a total of 13 unnatural deaths was experienced comparison to 10 over the same period during 2008 which indicates an increase of three. This reporting period six (6) deaths as result of assault by officials during stabilizing incidents was experienced an additional five (5) suicides occurred. A further two (2) deaths was as result of assault offender on offender. The baseline for unnatural deaths for 2009/2010 is nine (9) and already six unnatural deaths occurred to date this financial year indicating that the Region may exceed its baseline. Officials using excessive force when stabilizing incidents. Suicides by means of hanging and overdosing need to be addressed. Officials are ill equipped to deal with mentally ill offenders. Long period it takes to finalize Post Mortems have a negative effect on finalization of investigations. High prevalence of gang activities have a negative bearing on assaults leading to unnatural deaths. Security plan for the protection of inmates, officials, service providers and the public to be revised and amended. Specific training programmes to be developed for officials in terms of handling of gangsterism, conflict handling, use of necessary force. The Region is in process of following up on Departmental and Criminal sanctions imposed on officials implicated in the deaths of offenders. Specific information will be updated by 15 September 2009.