Department of Correctional Services says overcrowding is driven by pressures in the criminal justice system, including delays in processing remand detainee cases and court referrals.
Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald says prison overcrowding remains closely linked to pressures within the criminal justice system, as the Department of Correctional Services disclosed that 8,849 applications aimed at easing overcrowding were referred to court in the 2025/26 financial year, with only 1,278 successful.
This comes after Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Member of Parliament (MP) Busaphi Machi asked the minister to outline nationwide interventions and contingency measures following findings by the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on the Bethal Correctional Centre. This highlighted systemic challenges, including overcrowding, staff shortages, security lapses, contraband smuggling, and poor inmate conditions.
Groenewald told Parliament that overcrowding must be understood in relation to available bed space and the composition of the prison population.
“Currently, the bed-space available can accommodate all sentenced offenders. However, due to the criminal justice process or system, such space is also shared with awaiting trial inmates, who are sent by the courts to DCS facilities.”
