Prison overcrowding costs taxpayers millions every day

Iman Rappetti, in for John Maytham on CapeTalk, speaks with Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services

Listen below:

South Africa’s correction system is overwhelmed with far more inmates than it can handle.

Each inmate costs the taxpayer R13,000 per month according to Ramolobeng.

GroundUp reports that in a recent media briefing she shared that more than 25,500 foreign nationals in our prisons cost taxpayers over R11-million a day.

In addition to this there are thousands of remand detainees being held who cannot afford bail of less than R1000.

She adds that while this is a lot of money there is no easy solution to cut spending as prisoners are entitled to 3 meals a day and humane treatment.

RELATED: SA prisons buckling under overcrowding crisis

“Yes, the spending on inmates is too much, but how do you remedy the situation? What is it that the department ought to do?”

- Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services (IN: 05:15)

She suggests that civil society organisations should be involved in reviewing the Correctional Services Act to find a better way forward as a country.

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