Granting of Special Remission of sentence is the prerogative of the President in terms of the powers vested in him by Section 84 (2) (j) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No 108 of 1996).
DCS continuously implements the direct and indirect measures outlined by the DCS Overcrowding Reduction Strategy in dealing with population levels in all correctional facilities. Special Remission is one of the short-term direct measures for dealing with overcrowding.
The implementation of the 2023 Special Remission of sentence by the Department of Correctional Service (DCS) has achieved its aim of reducing levels of overcrowding in correctional facilities.
As on 11 August 2023, which is the inception date of the 2023 Special Remission of sentence, the inmate population stood at 154 327 against 107 582 bed spaces resulting in an excess of 46 745 which constitute 143% occupancy level and an overcrowding level of 43%.
As on 30 October 2023, a total of 16 247 (13 958 unconditional and 2 289 conditional) offenders were released after benefitting from Special Remission of Sentence.
As on 30 October 2023, the inmate population stood at 149 619. The inmate population decreased from 154 327 to 149 619 which translates into a decrease of 4708.
The reasons that the inmate population reflects only a decrease of 4 708 on 30 October 2023 and not 16 247 released are the following;
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