The Minister of Correctional Services Dr. Pieter Groenewald, says challenges of overcrowding, the presence of crime syndicates and gangs within correctional facilities remains, despite the departments efforts to tackle it.
The minister says these issues are ongoing, whilst also increasing at the same time.
Groenewald highlighted this while tabling the departments budget vote for the current financial year in Parliament.
"These challenges can compromise issues such as overcrowding, dilapidated infrastructure, a rising number of remand detainees, deteriorating facilities, staff shortages, the presence of crime syndicates and gangs within our institutions, and emerging crime patterns that pose challenges to our rehabilitation process."
He adds that the budget cuts impact negatively on the security of correctional facilities.
