Johannesburg - Christmas is that special time of the year when most people want to be at home with their loved ones.
And it’s a desire that is also prevalent among those behind bars.
After realising some convicts held at nearly 250 prisons were prepared to kill or maim prison warders to escape and spend Christmas with loved ones, the Department of Correctional Services began roping in the SANDF, the police and metro police in stepping up vigilance – and is doing so again this year.
Operation Vala, the plan to ensure the prison population remains behind bars for the festive season, was launched by the department at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre in Pretoria on Wednesday.
During the operation, security measures are tightened at correctional centres, the supervision of officials is increased, idleness among inmates is decreased, and outdoor activities are reduced.
This year’s Operation Vala is the 10th and it runs from November 25 to January 14.
Correctional Services’ chief deputy commissioner James Smalberger said the campaign had been introduced after it was noted that most escapes took place towards or during the festive season.
Some escapers wanted to spend the festive season with their families, while others did so to commit crimes.
The operation had led to a decline in the number of escapes at this time of the year, Smalberger said.
Law enforcement agencies had been roped in again to assist.
“With the December holidays only a few weeks away, the Department of Correctional Services is leaving nothing to chance.
“We are making a concerted effort to ensure a safer festive season for you,” Smalberger said.
He called on communities to report escapers to law enforcement agencies.
“We call upon family members and the community at large not to harbour the escapers and criminals.
“We are calling upon citizens to do their part and report any suspicious activity immediately as corrections is a societal responsibility.”
Smalberger also warned officials who assisted inmates to escape: “We know there are unscrupulous officials, a minority, who are criminals masquerading in Department of Correctional Services’ uniform, who will sacrifice these noble goals for a safer and secure South Africa for a quick buck.”
“We want to repeat our warnings to such officials that your days are numbered and you will not only be investigated, disciplined and dismissed, but you will be criminally prosecuted and swop your brown uniform for the orange one.”
Smalberger said 49 escapes were reported last year and 60 the previous year.
Most of these escapers were back behind bars.
In 1995, there were 1 244 escapes.
“The efficiency and effectiveness of our safe and secure custody programme at correctional centres has reached unprecedented levels,” he said.
Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, said it was important for law enforcement agencies to collaborate. She also commended community members for working with law enforcement agencies in turning in criminals.
“This is to make sure everybody is on board in ensuring a safer and more secure South Africa. The information we receive from the community is very helpful.”
Correctional Services spokesman Manelisi Wolela said a large number of items, such as guns‚ knives and cellphones, were smuggled into prisons and used by prisoners in breaking out.
“Due to the high number of attempts and (level of) violence in prisons around this time‚ it was decided we needed this campaign to reduce escapes and smuggling into prisons.
“Before it was introduced, we had a high number of hostage situations‚ a high number of officials were maimed and paralysed… around December.”
Wolela said the department was also introducing cellphone detectors.
As a priority‚ 39 facilities had been equipped to monitor all communication device activity, whether by officials or prisoners.
During this financial year, body-scanning equipment is also being installed at a number of prisons.
- The Sunday Independent