Newly opened Nelson Mandela Rules Academy aims to protect inmate dignity

South Africa's first-ever Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy has officially been opened at the Drakenstein Correctional Centre in the Western Cape.

The academy, established in partnership with the United Nations (UN) Office on Drugs and Crime, will train prison officials on the 122 UN standards that govern the treatment of inmates. 

Correctional Services Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald said the aim is to ensure dignity is upheld within correctional facilities.

"If you put focus and emphasis on the rules, it sensitises them to ensure that the dignity is also guaranteed. We must always remember that it is a fine balance, because the victims of crime also have to be assured that there is justice for the crimes committed by prisoners.

"It is not a matter of saying that you committed a crime and now you're going to be treated with dignity, but you must understand that there must be justice for the victims of crime. So, you're not going to have a wonderful life when you are in prison."

Groenewald acknowledged that overcrowding remains one of the department’s biggest challenges. 

While there are enough beds for sentenced inmates, an additional 60,000 remand detainees are straining the system. 

He said the government is exploring legislative changes to deport about 27,000 foreign nationals in custody, and supporting a privately funded bail initiative for detainees who cannot afford small amounts of bail.

Groenewald also pointed to budget cuts of more than R11 billion over five years, saying the department is focusing on self-sufficiency through prison labour, including agriculture and manufacturing. 

To listen to Dr Pieter Groenewald in conversation with CapeTalk's Africa Melane, click the audio below: