| Overcrowding of prisons can be eased by releasing petty criminals in the short term, but the national crime prevention body believes it would be more effective for the courts to revise sentencing mindsets, and impose sentences other than direct imprisonment.
“Releasing prisoners, as much as it alleviates the overcrowding, is always accepted with skepticism by the community, and creates the impression that justice does not exist.” Said Khanyisile Mpuang, spokesman for the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (Nicro).
Alternative sentences included correctional supervision, suspended sentences, community services, compensation for victims and fines.
Ms Mpuang was responding to a suggestion by Parliament’s portfolio committee on correctional services that some prisoners jailed for petty crimes should be released, to alleviate widespread overcrowding and the strain on prison infrastructure.
Committee chairman Dennis Bloem said Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour should look at releasing prisoners whom had already appeared before a parole board, and who had committed petty crime.
The committee is to visit 241 prisons.
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07 February 2005