South Africa to release nearly 19,000 prisoners on conditional parole to curb COVID-19 spread
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday authorized the release of thousands of prisoners on conditional parole as a way of curbing the spread of COVID-19 in correctional facilities.
According to the presidency, the order may see nearly 19,000 inmates placed on correctional supervision or parole, but will not consider those serving life sentences.
South Africa’s correctional facilities currently hold about 155,000 people for various crimes.
“The parole dispensation will apply to low-risk inmates who have passed their minimum detention period or will approach this period in the coming five years,” the presidency said.
“This dispensation excludes inmates sentenced to life imprisonment or serving terms for specified other serious crimes, including sexual offences, murder and attempted murder, gender-based violence and child abuse.”
South Africa is the continent’s worst affected country by the COVID-19 pandemic, having registered 8,232 infections and 161 deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The figures account for 15.2 percent of Africa’s COVID-19 cases and 7.7 percent of the continent’s fatalities.
The release of prisoners in South Africa comes as United Nations officials continue to amplify the alarm over the rapid spread of COVID-19 through prisons – where physical distancing is nigh on impossible, and hygiene is often inadequate.
The South African presidency however warned that the prisoners who will be released on parole may be reincarcerated if they violate their release conditions.
“Inmates that will be affected by this decision will be placed on parole instead of having their sentences remitted. They will therefore continue to serve their sentence under Community Corrections until they reach their respective sentence expiry dates,” the presidency said.
Minister of Justice Mr Ronald Lamola is expected to provide more details on the parole programe.
