CSPRI invited to Portfolio Committee on Justice & Correctional Services Strategic Planning Session

The delegation made a submission which covered current research conducted by CSPRI on the challenges that undermine the effective functioning of the criminal justice system. The submission covered the following topics:

• high volumes of non-productive arrests
• long periods of pre-trial detention
• low prosecution rates
• preventing and investigating human rights abuses, and
• sentencing reform. 

CSPRI will continue to engage with the Portfolio Committee. CSPRI believes that Parliament has a critical role to play in strengthening governance and human rights. There is a need to conduct more research on the broader criminal justice issues raised in this presentation, and we suggest that the participation of civil society involvement in this regard is important. Civil society is thus a key partner in providing assistance and support to organisations working in criminal justice service delivery.