The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services says the Department should start a process of consultations with other countries for inmate exchange programmes so that foreign inmates can serve sentences in their countries of origin. This is to reduce the burden on the state.
Correctional Services Chair Committee, Kgomotso Ramolobeng, says this is concerning.
“The committee is seriously concerned that our correctional facilities have so many foreign nationals across our country, but we have not entered into inmate exchange programmes with other countries. This is in order to mitigate the challenge that we have of foreign nationals in our facilities.”
Experts say prison sentences and conditions in some countries are far harsher than in South Africa, making it a preferred place for some foreign nationals to commit crimes. Criminologist Kholofelo Rakubu and Mike Bolhuis say this trend is concerning. ” Think about Nigerian and Zimbabwean prisons, South African facilities are hotels with 5 star treatment and are soft on offenders which is why they are always found with contraband. South Africa is a lucrative country to commit crime in, hence foreigners treat it like a playground. Other countries are stricter and that’s why their people commit crimes here and would rather be detained here as opposed to their own countries
A former foreign national, previously incarcerated in South Africa, agrees, saying prison conditions in their home countries are much harsher and unbearable.
“South African prisons are more equipped and way better than the ones in Nigeria. The prison system that side is so bad that you would not wish it on your worst enemy to be detained there. Inmates sleep on the floor, if your family doesn’t bring you a mattress and essentials, you will suffer. Your family needs to have money in order for you to survive.
