Topic: Security Central / How many gangs are in your facility?

In South Africa especially in the Western Cape gangersterism is rife we have gangs in all of our prisons btw 20-30 gangs in every prison.The gangs that are the most notorious are the 27’s who must stab/kill an official to have full membership.The 28’s sodomise other offenders and the 26’s steal.We have numbers for gangs,and believe me only your prayers gets you through each day.Female offenders are also gangmembers many of them end up in prison because of involvement with men who are part of these gangs.The gangsmembers have ranks just like officials some are generals,luitenants,corporals etc.There are cases where officials also join these gangs and work against their collagues.

Topic: The Club House / Hospitalized Inmates getting visits?

Visits in outside hospitals are only allowed with permission of Head of Correctional Centre and only where the offender is very critical,on his death bed.The only exception are for pregnant mothers giving birth; may get visits based on security classification.Hospital Visits are a big security risk for the guarding official as well as the publc;hospital staff.We had several incidents where gangs visit these hospitals and shootings result in innocent parties losing their lives.Hospital staff also do not always adhere to security rules;we have eleven official languages and the official do not always understand the language that is spoken between offender and certain staff.The offender would request staff to phone friends and family on their behalf and some of the staff do so; placing innocent peoples lives in danger.At most of the public hospitals offenders are placed amongsts other patients which in contact with other patients and visitors.Offenders also have to wait the exact same time and in the same waitng room as all other patients in direct contact with the public.No effort is made from hospital staff to assist offenders first to avoid the security risk that exists one understands that patients in critical care should be asisted first but offenders should be seen as high risk.

Topic: Letter of The Law / Personal Phone calls?

Cellphones are not allowed in our Centres at all.Officials have the option of getting a personal pin and make phonecalls from landlines using their pins the phone account is deducted from their salaries each month.Officials have lost their cellphones inside the Centres already in the past therefore the no cellphone policy was introduced.

Topic: The Club House / Help Me With A Question

In S.A you must use the minimum force necessary to ward off the attack.The force you use should not be greater than the attacker.This is a tricky issue when you are actually facing an attack and officials often end up in disciplinary hearings,suspension because of this issue.There are always a shortage of staff which is a risk in itself but one has to perform your duties anyway but when trouble arise you must have the answers even though management is fully aware and policy states that no cell may be opened if there is a shortage of staff on the Unit.

Topic: Security Central / Officer shakedowns

Our officers are all searched upon entering the Correctional Centre.Contraband is still smuggled in by officials,officials’s food is not searched even though it should be and in all honesty if anybody searches my food I will lose my appetite.

Topic: Security Central / death row

In South Africa the death penalty was abolished with the introduction of our Constitution in 1994.The case that is often referred to in Case law is the State vs Makwanyana case.This case was decided while the Constitution was finalised.This case sets the legal president the accused in the case was sentenced to life imprisonement instead of the death penalty.

Topic: The Club House / which shoes or boots?

I agree with Mick thumbs up for a pair of Magnum boots,our uniform is brown,I have a brown lace up boot with a side zip on the inside.

Topic: Security Central / Dew rags

I am not familiar with dew rags/skull caps they are not worn or sold at our centres at all.The only offenders allowed to wear caps for protection against the sun are those working at the farm prisons who are allocated to workplaces outside eg.agriculture.What is your rule with muslim/jewish offenders male and female who wear scarves etc for religious reasons?Scarves is often used by offenders with suicidal tendencies.

Topic: A Broader View / Should jails implement more rehabilitation programs?

Hi Everyone
Garyarthurgood what does your CATS system entail how do you track progress or implementation via software?Sounds interesting.

Topic: The Club House / Where in the world are you

Hi Everyone,the WPFG is indeed a spectacular international sporting event.The event takes place every 2 years the next games will be in New York in 2011,and Belfast,Ireland in 2013.There are over 60 sporting events to partake in,so start training now!!On the 31st of May I will be participating in the Comrades Marathon it is an Ultra Marathon of 89km.This event is also referred to as the Ultimate Human Race it will be the 85th running of the race since it’s inception in 1921.This year will be my 4th run there have never been two consecutive years that the race was run in the same direction.There will be a record entry of 20 000 participants this year.This year every finisher will receive a 50mm commerorative medal the biggest ever compared to the 30 mm medal of previous years.The marathon is attempting a Guiness World Record in the category of most entries for a Ultra Marathon.The cut off time for the race is 12hrs.South Africa is also hosting the World Cup,any of you visiting our beautifull country?I will keep you updated on results and events during the World Cup.

Topic: The Club House / Where in the world are you

Hi everyone, it seems as if the Canadians are the only active participants on this site.

Topic: A Broader View / Should jails implement more rehabilitation programs?

The programmes that are offered should be effective,this can be measured by the rate of recividism.The quantity of programmes is not so important in my opinion as the effectiveness of it.However I would encourage as many programmes as possible to prevent boredom and idleness.We have to accept the fact that not all offenders are interested in these programmes but this should not be a reason to show them away.One can only hope that such offenders will grasp something whilst attending.Offenders can also not be forced to participate in programmes if they dont want to this choice may however impact negatively in their consideration for parole.This gives the impression that offenders are not interested in rehabilitation or stopping their deviant behaviour.In my experience I have also experienced that the rate of recividism is much lower in offenders who have been charged with longer sentences for more serious crimes.

Topic: A Broader View / Staff incentive ideas for quitting tobacco

Hi there,here in South Africa all of our correctional centres are bagless so no official may enter with a bag.All officials are searched upon entering to prevent smuggling of contraband.The centre where I am working at is a non smoking Centre since 2009,no offender or official are allowed with tobacco it is also not sold at our prison shop.Smoking in all goverment buildings is prohibited.There was a lot of resistance to the non smoking policy at first but all officials and offenders are now obliged to obey.

Topic: The Club House / Where in the world are you

Hi Everybody

I am from South Africa,I work at a Correctional Centre in Cape Town,I have been in the department now for 6 yrs.I have also participated in WPFG in 2009 in Vancouver,Canada.I am glad there is a site for Correctional Officials to share ideas and experiences.