The number of prisoners languishing in the country’s prisons serving life imprisonment has steadily grown from a few hundred in 1996 to close to 19 000 this year. Picture: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
The number of prisoners languishing in the country’s prisons serving life imprisonment has steadily grown from a few hundred in 1996 to close to 19 000 this year.
Of the total number, only 3 270 lifers who qualified for parole consideration were still incarcerated as of March 2024.
This emerged in the annual report for the 2023/24 financial year tabled by the Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services (JICS) in Parliament.
JICS said there were 18 795 prisoners serving life sentences as at the end of March 2024.
“The total number of those serving life terms has seen a substantial upsurge. This surge not only mirrors the escalation of violent offences during this timeframe but also underscores the impact of minimum sentencing regulations on the overall growth of South Africa’s incarcerated populace,” read the report.
The report shows an increase in the number of individuals serving life sentences from the 518 recorded in 1996 to 12 870 in 2016, 16 856 five years later, and 18795 six months ago.
“The Limpopo-Mpumalanga region once again has the highest number of lifers, with 4 266 individuals, while the Western Cape remains the lowest with 1 440,” reads the report.
KwaZulu-Natal recorded 3 871 prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, Free State and Northern Cape 3 831, Eastern Cape 2 776, and Gauteng 2 611.
JICS said parole eligibility for individuals serving life sentences applied to a portion of the current lifer population.
“Parole consideration for inmates sentenced to life imprisonment remains a significant challenge.”
The Minister of Correctional Services holds the authority to grant parole for individuals serving life sentences.
“Many inmates serving life sentences who meet the criteria for parole consideration have waited far longer than the minimum prescribed period to be considered and placed on parole.
While the Minister has the authority to grant parole for individuals serving life sentences, Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards make recommendations concerning parole to the National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS).”
The report noted that given the minister’s responsibilities within a large department and numerous other tasks, it can be challenging to focus exclusively and effectively on parole matters.
The NCCS submitted 438 parole applications to the minister during the 2023/2024 and the minister dealt with 2 149 parole applications during the period under review.
A total of 703 lifers were placed on parole and 1 446 lifer profiles were returned by the minister to the NCCS for further review.
“JICS wishes to record its appreciation to the minister for reducing the historical backlog of parole applications in his office.”
According to the report, 3 270 lifers prisoners qualifying for parole consideration were still incarcerated as of March 31 2024. A further 15 525 inmates who serve life sentences were not currently eligible to be considered for parole. JICS said the Inspecting Judge, Justice Edwin Cameron, continued engaging with the NCCS in search of a practical solution to the challenge.
“JICS has also provided feedback on the draft Parole Position Paper, contributing to ongoing efforts to address the parole consideration process.”
Judge Cameron said the parole system suffered from unfilled vacancies on parole boards and the impossible burden the minister carried because the statute requires final sign-off by him/her for every lifer granted parole.
“Though the minister has made progress in remedying the backlog, JICS continues to receive complaints from inmates, their families, and officials about delays and inconsistencies in the process,” he said.
Cape Times
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