DCS briefed Parliament on Community Corrections, outlining parole supervision, absconders management and tracking systems, while dismissing media claims about large numbers of untraced parolees under its supervision.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has rejected claims that more than 28,000 parolees are untraced, telling Parliament that the figures are misleading and include historical cases that do not reflect the current community corrections system.
The department briefed Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on Tuesday on Community Corrections, focusing on parole supervision, the management of absconders, compliance mechanisms, challenges, and measures to strengthen offender tracking and tracing.
The briefing follows media reports, including an AmaBhungane investigation, which alleged that thousands of parolees, including convicted murderers, rapists, and armed robbers, are not being traced by correctional services officials responsible for monitoring them. The department has dismissed the allegations.
Chief Deputy Commissioner for Community Corrections Gustav Wilson said the unit is responsible for non-custodial supervision of offenders in the community.
