2004

CSPRI Newsletter No. 8 - December 2004

Johnny Steinberg writes on Prison Gangs in this short issue.

South African Prisoner's Right to Vote: Addendum to "Prisoners' Rights Litigation in South Africa since 1994: a Critical Evaluation" (Research Paper 3A)

Subsequent to the Constitutional Court case in which the right of prisoners to vote was secured prior to the 2004 general election (Min of Home Affairs v NICRO), this is an addendum to Pierre de Vos's paper on the impact of litigation to promote the rights of prisoners

Report of the Evaluation of the Independent Prison Visitors (IPV) System (Research Paper No. 5)

In 1999 the relevant sections of the Correctional Services Act was promulgated to provide for the establishment of the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons. The Independent Prisons Visitor, as provided for in the Act, is the main mechanism of the Judicial Inspectorate to hear and address the complaints of prisoners. With hundreds of Independents Prison Visitors appointed by 2003, this paper reviews the effectiveness of the system to address the complaints of prisoners.

Alternative Sentencing Review (Research Paper No 6)

Whilst the South African legislation makes ample provision for non-custodial sentencing options, practice reveals that these sentencing options are severely under utilized. Research in a number of jurisdictions reveals a system beset by practical problems, lack of knowledge, infrastructure problems, and attitudinal obstacles. Practical recommendations are provided on promoting non-custodial sentencing options as a result of the research.

A Review of the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons of South Africa (Research Paper No. 7)

This paper reviews the effectiveness of the Judicial Inspectorate in fulfilling this mandate as an oversight structure.

CSPRI Newsletter No. 7 - October 2004

This issue consists of the following articles: Review of the Correctional Services Budget 2004/5 to 2006/7, written by Lukas Muntingh; Milestones reached for the establishment of a human rights basis for corrections, written by Prof. Julia Sloth-Nielsen (published in the Mail and Guardian, 10-17 September 2004; SA Prisons at a glance (February 2004 to May 2004)

CSPRI Newsletter No. 6 - June 2004

In this issue: Prof. Julia Sloth-Nielsen writes about Parole and the separation of powers: the implications of S v Botha (Case no 318/03)

CSPRI Newsletter No. 5 - February 2004

In this issue: The Prison Report by the Law Society of South Africa, as well as upcoming events, and the SA prisons at a glance.