The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) expresses deep concern over the failure of National Treasury to reimburse the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) for the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for financial year 2024/2025, which led to the deficit for the DCS. While we have successfully advocated for the implementation of grade and pay progressions within the department, Treasury’s decision to withhold reimbursement has plunged DCS into financial distress.

Initially, National Treasury assured DCS that it would provide reimbursement for the COLA expenditure. However, it has since reneged on this commitment, leaving the department struggling to meet its operational and financial obligations. As a direct result, DCS is unable to cover essential expenses, including overtime and night visit payments. Moreover, certain crucial resources have been withdrawn from Management Areas and centralised, further complicating the department’s ability to function effectively.

Budget cuts imposed by National Treasury have critically weakened DCS, limiting its capacity to fulfil its mandate of rehabilitation and social reintegration. Over the past five years, the department has suffered a cumulative budget reduction exceeding R12 billion. The adverse effects of these cuts are evident in downsizing or discontinuation of some of the rehabilitation initiatives. The ripple effect is that other programmes such as skills development, formal education programmes, psychological counselling, etc also suffer and sadly deprive inmates of opportunities for rehabilitation. Furthermore, this contributes to higher recidivism rates, as released offenders struggle to reintegrate into society.

Lack of funding has also hindered the maintenance and building of correctional facilities, leading to severe overcrowding. The current ratio of correctional officials to inmates stands at an alarming 1:20, exposing inmates to increased violence, gang activity, and other dangers. Correctional officers, in turn, face heightened risks of attacks and are increasingly overwhelmed by unsafe working conditions.

The planned recruitment of 3,000 learner correctional officers is yet to be realised due to financial constraints. Additionally, the shift pattern restructuring and the promotion policy remain unimplemented, exacerbating staff shortages and workplace inefficiencies.

POPCRU calls upon National Treasury to urgently review its funding model and reinstate adequate financial support to the DCS. We urge the Minister of Correctional Services, the National Commissioner, and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services to strongly oppose these detrimental budgetary constraints.

The continued financial instability of DCS threatens the safety of both correctional officials and inmates, while undermining efforts to rehabilitate offenders and reduce crime. Treasury’s role should be to strengthen, not weaken, the nation’s correctional system. We stand firm in our demand for Treasury to honour its commitment and reimburse the DCS without further delay.