Local News
'Grootvlei prison severely overcrowded'─── 11:19 Mon, 18 Aug 2014
Duane Petrus
Bloemfontein- The Grootvlei prison in Bloemfontein is severely overcrowded.
The minister of correctional services, Michael Masutha, who visited the facility yesterday, says the prison currently houses almost double the amount of inmates it is designed to accommodate.
He said 157 000 inmates are currently incarcerated nationwide, 37 000 inmates more than the country's jails are collectively designed to hold.
Masutha added that this figure has decreased by 30 000 over the last decade.
He says one of the reasons for the overcrowding is cases that are not handled speedily.
Masutha added that overcrowding at Grootvlei reduces the quality of services and programs provided at the facility.
Masutha added that overcrowding at Grootvlei reduces the quality of services and programs provided at the facility.
Michael Masutha:
