Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is said to step up its processes following the recent escape of three prisoners from the Malmesbury Prison. Though two of the prisoners who escaped the facility last week have been rearrested, DCS plans to strengthen its processes to prevent corruption and mismanagement.
This after a Johannesburg correctional service official was arrested for assisting with the escape of two prisoners from Malmesbury and Barberton earlier this month while another was sentenced to five years.
According to the DCS acting National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, in the last financial year, 94 correctional service officials have been fired while another official was sentenced to five years imprisonment last week for assisting with an escape from the Johannesburg correctional facility.
At this stage he could not reveal how the prisoners escaped due to security reasons, he said they have however intensified their campaign and processes to prevent unnecessary security lapses.
He added that management systems will also be reenforced and increased compliance with policy and controls to ensure corruption and mismanagement free correctional facilities.
The escape was not an isolated incident, in 2020 a group of prisoners overpowered officials, took their keys and locked them in one of the cells and opened other cells before escaping.
It is alleged at the time of the incident the facility had 451 inmates and 20 officials on duty. A total of 69 inmates escaped through the roof and main entrance and 63 of them had been rearrested at the time. While nine officials sustained minor injuries and bruises.
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