CSPRi News

CSPRI hosts a roundtable on remand detention

The Chief Deputy Commissioner for Remand in the Department of Correctional Services, Ms Britta Rotmann, explained the thinking behind the final draft white paper on remand detention at a roundtable in Cape Town on 23 May 2013.

CSPRI makes comprehensive submssion to Parliament on the Correctional Services Budget Vote

The submission deals with three broad issues: alignment between the Strategic Plan and the budget; creating safer prisons, and rehabilitation and reintegration.

Just Detention Forum calls on the Department of Correctional services to devise a comprehensive plan to improve prisoner safety after deaths at Groenpunt and St.Albans

The recent deaths of prisoners at Groenpunt and St Alban’s prisons raise serious concerns about the ability of the Department of Correctional Services to guarantee the safety of prisoners. The Groenpunt death is particularly worrying as officials are implicated in the death of the prisoner.

CSPRI makes submission to the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry

On 12 October 2012, CSPRI made a submission to the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of police inefficiency in Khayelitsha and a breakdown in relations between the community and the police in Khayelitsha. This Commission was set up by the Western Cape Premier in August 2012, following allegations from civil society that there was systemic failure by the SAPS in Khayelitsha to prevent, combat and investigate crime, take statements, open cases and apprehend criminals, resulting in a breakdown in relations between the community and the police.

CSPRI makes submissions to Parliament on the annual reports of DCS and JICS

CSPRI has prepared submissions to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on the annual reports of the Department of Correctional Services and the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services. The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services will hear stakeholders on the annual reports of DCS and JICS on Wednesday 10 October at 14h.

"How the law on police use of deadly force is weakened" - by Clare Ballard

On Thursday 16 August 2012, 36 miners were killed by South African Police Services officials at Marikana mine in Mpumalanga. The violence arose out of a protracted labour dispute involving rival labour unions and Lonmin management. The final death toll of the week of 13 August 2012 is close to 50. Clare Ballard argues that the recent amendment of section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act, now awaiting the President’s signature, has weakened protection by significantly broadening the grounds on which the use of deadly force may be used and justified. She states that having constitutionally compliant legislation will not fix the seemingly endemic problems within the SAPS, nor will it repair its damaged reputation. What it can do, however, is strike the best the balance between undoubtedly complicated policing concerns, public safety and the rights to life, freedom from violence and dignity.

CSPRI makes submissions to Parliament on the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Bill

On 31 July 2012, CSPRI sent in the following submissions to Parliament on the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Bill. These submissions represent the views of a group of organisations (listed in the document) and address, primarily, whether the contents of the Bill comply fully with the obligations imposed on the state in terms of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). These submissions also include recommendations on what the Bill should include and / or exclude as well as suggestions on how the text could be amended. CSPRI will be addressing the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development at the public hearings on 4 September 2012.

Launch of the Report on Children in Prison in South Africa

On 28 May, Lukas Muntingh and Clare Ballard launched CSPRI's latest research report during a workshop held in Cape Town. The report is an update to the situational analysis of the children in prison in South Africa. The launch brought together many stakeholders in the field of child justice and allowed for interesting exchanges on the current challenges faced by children in conflict with the law.

Submission to the 51st Ordinary Session of the ACHPR

On 18 April 2012, the Community Law Centre delivered a submission to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. The submission dealt with three issues, namely compliance with the Robben Island Guidelines, domestic oversight over places of detention and limiting the use of pre-trial detention.

Submission on the budget (2012/13), strategic plan (2012/13 – 2016/17) and annual performance plan (2012/13) of DCS

On Tuesday 17 April, CSPRI delivered a submission on the budget vote (Vote 21, 2012/13), the strategic plan (2012/13 – 2016/17) and the annual performance plan (2012/13) of the Department of Correctional Services to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services.

CSPRI Researcher writes comment on prominent 'torture' case

On 25 March, Clare Ballard wrote an opinion editorial on a case being heard by the North Gauteng High Court, in which the Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC) and the Zimbabwean Exiles Forum have applied for the review of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the South African Police Services' decision not to investigate or prosecute Zimbabwean officials, resident in South Africa from time to time, for alleged act of torture carried out on MDC supporters in March 2007.

Article 5 Initiative launched at old Breakwater Prison

On 13 December, following International Human Rights Day, the Article 5 Initiative (A5I) was launched at the Breakwater Lodge in Cape Town. The Article 5 Initiative aims to support African institutions to improve domestic compliance with international law obligations, norms and procedures under the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).

Submission on torture in prisons to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services

On 30 November 2011, CSPRI’s Project Coordinator Lukas Muntingh presented a submission on the prevention and eradication of torture in South African prisons to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services (PCCS).

Submission on the Implementation of the Geneva Conventions Bill B10-2011

On 14 November, CSPRI researcher, Gwénaëlle Dereymaeker, presented the CSPRI submission on the Implementation of the Geneva Conventions Bill B10-2011 before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans.

Submission on the Working Document on the Draft General Comment on Article 14 of UNCAT

Article 5 Initiative responded to the open call by the UN Committee against Torture to comment on the working document of the General Comment on Article 14 of the UN Convention against Torture.

CSPRI representation at the 50th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR

CSPRI researcher, Gwénaëlle Dereymaeker, attended the 50th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, which took place from 24 October to 7 November 2011 in Banjul, The Gambia.

30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku October 2011

The October 2011 edition of 30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku is now available on our website. "30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku" covers domestic and major international media reporting on prison related issues sourced from press reviews, newspapers and websites.

30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku September 2011

The September 2011 edition of 30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku is now available on our website. "30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku" covers domestic and major international media reporting on prison related issues sourced from press reviews, newspapers and websites.

Submission on the Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill B39-2010

On 24 August, CSPRI researcher, Clare Ballard, presented a submission to the Portfolio Committee for Justice and Constitutional Development on the proposed amendments to the ‘use of deadly force’ provisions in the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.

30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku August 2011

The August 2011 edition of 30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku is now available on our website. "30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku" covers domestic and major international media reporting on prison related issues sourced from press reviews, newspapers and websites.