R36bn needed to combat overcrowding in prisons

South Africa needs at least R36 billion to construct new prisons to combat overcrowding, Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald revealed yesterday.

- Molefe Seeletsa

The department has introduced a strategic plan aimed at reducing overcrowding to improve the management of inmates in response to the crisis.

"The need to increase the national bed space capacity is receiving attention through the construction of new facilities, the upgrade of outmoded facilities, regaining lost bed space and the refurbishment of dilapidated facilities through funding from the National Treasury," he stated.

Groenewald said between September 2023 and July this year, the country's bed space capacity grew by 2 788, rising from 104 558 to 107 346. With an average overcrowding rate of nearly 46%, he emphasised the need to construct or provide a total of 50 000 additional beds.