The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) welcome the decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to grant parole to 19 000 inmates in averting the further spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

These low-risk inmates who have served their minimum detention period will be placed under parole, and the process will be in effect over the next 10 weeks.

Overcrowding and understaffing has put a great risk to the health of both inmates and correctional officials,  with just over 154 being tested positive within our correctional centres.

This very important intervention will go a long way in easing the burden frontline staff members of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) have had to endure.

We further urge that those caught breaking lockdown rules should not be taken to police holding cells as they are equally crowded, and rather be charged through paying guilt fines in avoiding avoidable infections.

Issued by POPCRU on 08/05/2020

For more information contact;

Richard Mamabolo on 066 135 4349