Justice Minister Ronald Lamola has addressed the issue of contraband illegally brought into prisons by officials as well as the issue of parolees who violate their parole conditions. Lamola, who was replying to a written parliamentary question from the DA He said over 37 000 cellphones were confiscated from prisoners and 24 prison officials are being investigated for helping inmates smuggle phones.Lamola  said most of the cases happened in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.The cases reported of parole violations were from 2020 to January this year.

CONTRABAND

Lamola said inmates were prohibited from having contraband and they were working hard to make sure that they seize them in various prisons. "More than 37 000 cellphones were confiscated from the prisoners during the 2022/23 financial year and 24 officials were found to have been involved in helping smuggle cellphones to inmates.We have  taken action against these officials including written and verbal warnings while two were dismissed and one has since resigned."

PAROLE VIOLATION

The cases reported of parole violations were from 2020 to January this year. KwaZulu Natal had the highest number of parolees who violated their conditions and it was sitting at 8 265. In the Western Cape there were 8 221 people who violated their parole conditions outside. Eastern Cape there were 7 672,  in Gauteng 5 539. In both the Free State and Northern Cape a total of 3 357 violated their parole conditions as well  as Limpopo and North West, with lowest number of violations, with 1 606 cases that were reported to Correctional Services," he concluded.