Correctional Services

Between 19 and 21 September 1996, 133 delegates from 47 countries, including 40 African countries, met in Kampala, Uganda. The President of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, Ministers of State, Prison Commissioners, Judges and international, regional and national non-governmental organisations concerned with prison conditions all worked together to find common solutions to the problems facing African prisons. The three days of intensive deliberations produced the Kampala Declaration on Prison Conditions in Africa which was adopted by consensus at the closure of the conference. This paper provides a critical discussion of the declaration.

This paper aims to establish what prisoners actually experience in prison and to make the public aware of what happens to those offenders whom society condemns to prison. In May 1996, Amanda Dissel visited Leeuwkop Maximum Prison and Modderbee Prison to talk to prisoners about their experiences in prison. The paper summaries her findings. 

This paper seeks to examine why a military structure is inappropriate in a prison environment and why demilitarisation of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is necessary. Some of the important areas affected by demilitarisation are highlighted. It will be argued in this paper that a militarised correctional services is inappropriate for an institution which is established for the safe keeping and rehabilitation of offenders. It further looks at the implications of a militarised and demilitarised structure and culture on the Department.