Pretoria - Correctional Services National Commissioner Tom Moyane says alternative sentencing of petty crime offenders would assist in preventing overcrowding in prisons.
"Overcrowding is an international problem," he said. Addressing the National Press Club on Thursday, Commissioner Moyane said discussions on the matter with the various stakeholders were currently underway.
Moyane said as part of the discussions, they will also look at alternative sentencing for women with babies at the correctional centers. He said women are only allowed to have their babies with them for two years and thereafter the babies are taken away to social workers or to family members.
Currently, there are 160 000 inmates in the country's prisons of which 47 000 are awaiting trial.
Asked if building more prisons would be a solution to overcrowding, Commissioner Moyane said building of more prisons would not be a solution but alternative sentencing for those who committed petty crimes would be a better solution.
The Durban-Westville and Pretoria prisons were among the most overcrowded in the country.
Commissioner Moyane also expressed concern about the high number of juveniles in the country's correctional facilities.
He further hinted that the department was considering electronically tagging some inmates to reduce overcrowding. He said the department is looking at the costs of tagging inmates. "We will see if that can be implemented."
With regard to security at the country's 242 correctional centers, Moyane said the department was currently installing perimeter fencing that was of an international standard.
