The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in Mpumalanga said visits to inmates in prison are open following the pronouncement by President Cyril Ramaphosa recently when the country moved to the adjusted alert level 1.
The department said that it had to review its Covid-19 Risk-Adjusted Strategy and in line with this review, it has resolved to permit visits to correctional services and remand detention facilities under strict conditions. According to reports, during the height of the pandemic lockdown, only Barberton correctional centre lost four inmates due to Covid-19 related complications.
Barberton Prison’s spokesperson, Messiah Hlungwani, confirmed the fatalities of the four inmates. The Correctional Services then had to apply very strict conditions that visitors will have to observe Covid-19 health protocols as well as the DCS standard operating procedures. Currently, the DCS said visits are limited to two visitors per inmate per month.
“Only one visitor per inmate will be allowed at a time. The non-contact visit classified inmates will be entitled to receive one visitor in a calendar month. Bookings must be pre-arranged at least 48-hours prior to the intended visit to ensure proper planning. No visits will be allowed without a prior appointment. Visitors must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the scheduled visit time,” Hlungwani said.
Visits will be permitted to take place between 09:00 and 15:00 on visiting days, Hlungwani pointed one. “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,” he said.
Inmates were very happy to learn that now they will have families to visit them at centres. Witbank (Paxton) Prison spokesperson, Thabile Mahlangu said that before the Covid-19 breakthrough, offenders did not have a limit to the number of visits that they could have in a month. “In fact, family relations are encouraged as they play a vital role in the rehabilitation of an offender. Offenders are happy that visits are now permitted however, there are still stringent measures implored to ensure their safety throughout this uncertain era,” Mahlangu said. The DCS urged families and friends of the inmates that, during their visitation to the centres, they must be honest during screening in order to prevent any potential infections and cross-contamination. “Those who have been in contact with Covid-19 positive cases must indicate as that will allow our healthcare practitioners to conduct extensive screening, which includes assessing vital signs. It is important to note that provision of false information is a criminal offence,” Hlungwani said.
