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Ekuseni Correctional Service outside Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, has held the mandate to develop young offenders for many years. Providing a compassionate, resourceful, and responsible environment for young convicted persons.
Founded in 1995 in response to former South African President Nelson Mandela‘s concern that conditions in South African prisons were not conducive to the transformation and development of young offenders, the prison/school became a vital step in assisting young people.
However, after many years, Ekuseni Correctional Services now faces a bizarre set of obstacles. This comes after sources stated that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) intends to close the facility due to it being dilapidated and not suitable for inmates. However, when we fired some questions at the department, answers were in scarce supply.
According to documents obtained by the Newcastillian – Online News, the Public Service Association (PSA) was notified that the DCS intended to transfer the centre’s staff and inmates to various correctional facilities to begin shutting down Ekuseni.
Following the above and according to information received, a multilateral meeting was held to address the issue. The result of which yielded that the centre will not be permanently closed, but will now temporarily close for renovations to address the ageing issues.
However, sources within DCS explain that this is simply a plan to ensure that the facility is ultimately shut down.
Therefore, the Newcastillian – Online News contacted the DCS to see if the allegations of the facility’s closure were indeed true.
According to DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo, Ekuseni Correctional Centre experienced security breaches, and an investigation revealed that the facility has structural issues. “As a result, inmates could leave their cells in spite of the doors being locked. The facility was donated to Correctional Services and structurally it was not designed to accommodate inmates. Although security features were installed, some of these measures are not strong enough to resist the creative manoeuvres of inmates.”
He also emphasises that most of the inmates are juveniles enrolled in school. “It is critical that they are kept safe and in an environment conducive for learning. These security breaches are a disturbing factor and a risk to officials and other inmates.”
Keeping this in mind, Nxumalo clarifies that DCS has not closed down this facility. Instead, it has reduced the caseload, which means some inmates have had to be transferred to other facilities based on their risk level. This will help DCS address structural issues and upgrade security features. “It is important for management to attend to centre operations and breaches of any kind, hence it is important that visits do take place by the Executive.”
Nevertheless, the Newcastillian – Online News asked Nxumalo the following questions to which we received no reply, creating even more questions:
- It is understood that a portion of the prison was closed down in 2018 for renovations. Why did these renovations not take place?
- What is the budget for maintenance for Ekuseni for this financial year, and how much of that budget is spent on the prison? And how much is used on maintaining official accommodation?
- Why was the structure allowed to deteriorate to the extent that it is no longer suitable to hold prisoners?
- When last was there a renovation project at Ekuseni? And who were the contractors, and what was the contract value?
This is a developing story, with just the tip of the iceberg revealing itself on the subject. Therefore, stay tuned for updates as the story unfolds.
What are your thoughts on this? Share your views in the comment section below.
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