Inmates to have visitors
Conditions include pre-booking, screening and approval of telephonic legal consultation
PRISONERS will be allowed visitors after months of not seeing their loved ones.
Yesterday the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) said that after reviewing its Covid-19 risk-adjusted strategy, it had decided to allow visits at correctional facilities under strict conditions.
The department said visits would be permitted between 9am and 3pm on visiting days and a booking must be made beforehand.
“In centres housing both sentenced and remand categories, and depending on the number of inmates, remand detainees may receive visits on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, excluding public holidays. Whereas sentenced offenders will be allowed visits on Wednesdays, Thursdays, weekends and public holidays.”
They said they would rely on members of the public to be honest during screenings in order to prevent potential infections.
“Those who have been in contact with Covid-19-positive cases must indicate that they will allow our health-care practitioners to conduct extensive screening, which includes taking vital signs. It is important to note that provision of false information is a criminal offence.
“Consultation visits between legal practitioners and inmates will be non-contact and shall observe Covid19 health protocols and operating procedures, as determined by DCS. As prescribed, legal practitioners will be expected to make prior arrangements with the head of centre and be armed with a proof of identity.
“On urgent matters, legal representatives and inmates may communicate telephonically after approval from the head of centre has been obtained, and where circumstances and resources permit.”
Golden Miles Bhudu, of the SA Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights, said while a draft of guidelines on visits was sent out, they were concerned that inmates and their next-of-kin were not made aware of the rules ahead of time.
“The communication to the nextof-kin is non-existent. Who will inform them that they can visit and what conditions they must adhere to? There is none of that and we are not surprised,” he said.
“Even the communication to prisoners, so they can understand the conditions, is another conundrum. The phone system has collapsed in many institutions – how will they call their loved ones to let them know?” .
Bhudu said visits were an important part of an inmate’s life.
“Visits form part of the rehabilitation therapy. Talking to your family and friends is a sort of counselling of the soul, the mind and the heart. The inmates think, ‘even though I am doing a lengthy period, I still have people that care for me’,” he said.
DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the department ensured that inmates had access to phones and made alternative arrangements where phones were not available.