- CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
Internal Achievements
- The Department has an official policy on acceleration of equality
between men and women.
- Women interface with the department as prisoners, probationers and
parolees, as employees and as support workers for prisoners. Women
only constitute approximately 2% of the prison population in South
Africa. (Second Women’s Budget, 155)
Achievements For South African Women
Policies and Legislation
- The Correctional Services Bill aims to provide for a modern correctional
services system operating within the framework of the Constitution.
It covers all areas of correctional services including regulation of
the prison environment in relation to areas such as nutrition, hygiene,
exercise and health care, discipline and security.
- There are provisions of the bill which mention women particularly.
Special provision is made for the dietary needs of pregnant women.
Mothers are permitted to have a child with them until the child reaches
five years of age. The bill provides that where practicable, the Commissioner
must ensure that a mother and child unit is available for the accommodation
of female prisoners and the children whom they may be permitted to
have with them.
Budget Allocations
- 9% of budget has been set aside for training of female prisoners.