The offenders will be released in a phased process, starting with women, children and elderly inmates, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said.
More than 14,000 of the 19 000 inmates considered for release, to ease the spread of Covid-19 in correctional centres, would have appeared before the parole board within the next two years, said Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola.
“The current Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted requirements to reduce the number of people incarcerated in correctional centres to a level which does not pose serious health and safety risks to officials, inmates and, ultimately, the communities into which offenders are released.” “This is certainly a short-term, but critical mechanism, to curtail the catastrophic effects of overcrowding. We are also looking at mechanisms to address the issue of awaiting trial detainees, who have been granted bail but who cannot afford to pay the amount set.”
Altogether 4,530 inmates earmarked for the early parole would not have been eligible for parole within the next two years.
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