The Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald says the rehabilitation of inmates will be one of his priorities. His comment comes amid growing calls for reform in the South African parole system.
A written parliamentary reply indicates that more than 17 000 people who have left correctional centres, some on parole, have re-offended.
Groenewald says over the past six years, thousands of people who were released, were re-offenders and some of them were on parole.
“The figure of 17035 re-offending of people that left our facilities in the Correctional Services and also parolees is quite disturbing and that’s why I said that rehabilitation is one of my priorities this term,” says Groenewald.
He says some of the re-offenders committed serious crimes which include murder, rape and possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
DA MP, Janho Engelbrecht who asked the question to the minister says these figures indicate that the parole system is not working adequately.
“The fact that 8% of inmates released on parole recommitted serious offences indicates once again that the South African parole system is dysfunctional and in desperate need of reform of parolees. Committing serious crimes undermines the legitimacy of the entire criminal justice system,” he said.