Thank you, Deputy Speaker and hon Minister for those comments about our children, which we fully endorse. We have supported the restorative justice approach in the Child Justice Bill to prevent reoffending, particularly where there is no danger to society.
Minister, you referred to various initiatives to cut down on the awaiting- trial population and you made reference to section 63(a). Is there not a reluctance to make use of that provision, because the head of a prison then has to admit that the conditions have reached such an overcrowded level that the health of prisoners and wardens is at risk?
As it's only under such circumstances that applications can be brought under section 63(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act, would that not in another sense be a matter of the commissioner admitting a failure before such an application can be brought? Is that not the reason why we see few applications in terms of section 63(a)? Thank you.