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Progress Made in Corrections' Video Conferencing System
[July 28, 2014]

Progress Made in Corrections' Video Conferencing System


(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Correctional Services Acting National Commissioner, Zach Modise, says progress is being made in finalising its R10-million video conferencing system.

The video system will be used to connect victims of crime to South Africa's 53 Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) offices, to allow them to have a say in parole hearings for offenders.

Modise said in terms of Section 299A of the Criminal Procedure Act, victims or their relatives have a right to make representations in certain matters regarding the parole of offenders serving terms of incarceration for murder, rape, robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping, among others.



"It is imperative that victims be prepared and be involved when the perpetrators are being considered for placement on parole, in line with the provision of the Correctional Services Act and the Criminal Procedure Act.

"We call on victims to participate in the processes so that they are not surprised when they see the perpetrators on the streets. We can't talk about perpetrators without talking about the victims.


"Victims meeting with the perpetrators is very critical and an integral part of restorative justice, and of making corrections a real societal responsibility," Modise said.

Earlier this month, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Advocate Michael Masutha announced the rollout of the video-conferencing system for CSPBs.

"In November 2014, we expect to launch a video-conferencing system in all 53 Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) offices," Modise said in his Budget Vote presented in Parliament earlier this month.

"This innovation is intended to help reduce the barriers of participation in parole hearings, including physical distance and language barriers to our efforts of prioritising victims in offender parole hearings." Parole boards collectively consider about 43 000 submissions and motivations for parole placements each year, which means each one of the 53 parole boards has to consider and process an average of four submissions each working day of the year.

Minister Masutha said there are many instances where the victims are difficult to find, refuse to participate or reject the notion of parole placement of perpetrators.

Modise promised to work closely with the South African Police Service as well as the Justice and Constitutional Development Department to ensure improved victim participation across the criminal justice value chain.

Copyright SAnews.gov.za. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

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