The cell phones were seized as officials tackle smuggling, gang activity, and overcrowding.
KZN SAPS
Cell phone smuggling remains a major security challenge in prisons, with the devices being used to facilitate criminal activity and gang operations.
That is according to Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald, who told Parliament that more than 37 000 phones were confiscated from prisons in the previous financial year.
Groenewald was answering questions in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday on issues including overcrowding and cell phone smuggling in prisons, as well as the State Security Agency’s threat assessments.
He said the department was stepping up security with measures such as body scanners, walk-through metal detectors, surveillance systems, and unannounced raids.
Groenewald added that his department was also exploring ways to prevent staff from bringing their phones into prisons.
READ: Tenderpreneur Matlala caught with a cellphone in prison
“[The] DCS has upgraded eight correctional centres through repairs and maintenance of the existing integrated security system, [which is] usually referred to also as digital ISS, which comprises cameras, intercoms, automated doors and alarm scanners and control rooms.
“Currently, all these components are operational and security stable. These centres include, for instance, Ebongweni Maximum, Kokstad Medium B.”
OVERCROWDING ADDS PRESSURE
The cell phone crackdown comes as prisons continue to face severe overcrowding.
The minister said the department was also dealing with a shortage of trained security personnel and limited funding to expand security technology across more facilities.
He said correctional facilities are currently 62% overcrowded, with 107 064 beds available.
Groenewald added that some detainees had been in custody for more than 10 years, describing this as a serious problem which required intervention across the justice system.
At the same time, the department said it was also holding around 30 000 foreign nationals and more than 20 000 inmates serving life sentences.
“Just last Friday, I signed a memorandum of understanding with Zimbabwe, where we can have interstate transfer of foreigners, and I have a previous MoU with Botswana as well as Namibia. All three of them concluded this year.”
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