Earlier this month, the President announced that 19 000 prisoners would be released on parole from correctional facilities. This was in response to the rising cases of COVID 19 amongst officials and prisoners, addressing the issue of overcrowding in the correctional system.
Whilst there have been concerns raised on parole conditions and safety of the general public, organizations such as Just Detention International say that this measure had to be taken in order to protect combat the health and social implications being faced in the correctional system.
Guest: Sasha Gear - co-director of Just Detention International, South Africa branch