Liberia Publications

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Preliminary Note of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment: Mission to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

"Another major problem identified by the Special Rapporteur was the allegation that some persons suspected of political crimes had been held in solitary confinement in Black Beach Prison for up to four years, without being allowed the one hour of exercise per day required by the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. Moreover, they were said to have been held in leg irons practically all the time. Prolonged solitary confinement and the permanent use of leg irons amount to inhuman treatment. In addition, the Special Rapporteur received allegations from various sources about persons held incommunicado and in secret detention, which he could not verify because of lack of access."

30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku November 2008

This issue has South African media reports on the topics: Governance and Corruption; Unsentenced prisoners; Security & Escapes; Parole & Sentencing; Conditions of Detention; and Media reports from other African countries.

The Changing Face of Life Imprisonment in South Africa.pdf The Changing Face of Life Imprisonment in South Africa.pdf

This article investigates the meaning and use of life imprisonment in South Africa in four major legal historical eras: life imprisonment at the time when the death penalty was still lawful in South Africa (including life imprisonment as early as 1906); life imprisonment in the immediate aftermath of the abolition of the death penalty (1994-1998); life imprisonment following the introduction of the minimum sentences legislation (1998-2007); and life imprisonment after December 2007, when the sentencing jurisdiction of the regional courts was extended to include life imprisonment.

Prisoner Re-Entry in Cape Town – An Exploratory Study Prisoner Re-Entry in Cape Town – An Exploratory Study

Every month in South Africa approximately 6000 sentenced prisoners are released, some on parole and some on expiry of sentence. After serving their prison sentences it is society’s expectation that they will refrain from committing crime and be productive citizens. They are expected to find employment, rebuild relationships with their families and communities, and cease from engaging in certain activities and avoiding the risks that caused their imprisonment in the first instance. Unfortunately, it is the case that many released prisoners commit further offences and find their way back to prison, some in a remarkably short period of time while others return after several years. This study is concerned with the immediate post-release period and asked a very simple question: “What happens to people immediately after they have been released from prison?” The question is aimed at gaining a deeper and empirical understanding of what prisoner re-entry and reintegration into society mean and what the obstacles are to successful reintegration. When people’s lives have effectively been put on hold for several months or years, how do they pick up the strings where they had left them, if there are indeed strings to pick up?

An Assessment of the Impact of HIV/AIDS on Correctional System governance with Special Emphasis on Correctional Services Staff An Assessment of the Impact of HIV/AIDS on Correctional System governance with Special Emphasis on Correctional Services Staff

The incidence of HIV/AIDS infection in South African prisons has been extensively documented in recent years. This research has focused variously on the geographic and demographic spread of the disease and on the rights of inmates to prophylactics and to appropriate treatment and care. In contrast, little research has been directed towards the incidence and impact of the pandemic amongst correctional officials. From this research it is evident that whilst the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has developed a fairly coherent (albeit unevenly implemented) programme for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS amongst inmates, and notwithstanding the recent launch of a “Framework for the Implementation of a Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Programme” it has yet to develop and implement systematic measures to manage the disease amongst its own staff.

30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku October 2008

The October's media reports included: Clive Derby-Lewis' parole application; Increase in TB infection of nurses at Pollsmoor; National Commissioner of Correctional Services shifted to Sports; Correctional Services Minister welcomes new DG; UN Human Rights Commissioner says prison should be reserved for serious criminals; And many more newspaper articles.

UNODC and UNAIDS: Women and HIV in Prison Settings

Women prisoners present specific challenges for correctional authorities despite, or perhaps because of the fact that they constitute a very small proportion of the prison population. This document discusses matters affecting women in prison settings and why women are at risk of HIV in prisons.

30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku September 2008

Media articles focussed on: Whistleblowers at C-Max; Prisons overcrowding affects community - CSPRI; Medical parole discussed; Cell-phones confiscated from awaiting trial prisoners in a maximum security prison; Prisoners' rights activist imprisoned for eight years; Book on human rights in African prisons launched; Download the full 30 Days/ Dae/ Izinsuku below for more newspaper articles from other African countries.

30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku August 2008

Media reports are on the following topics: Sentencing; Governance And Corruption; Unsentenced Prisoners; Prison Conditions; Parole And Medical Parole; Prison Labour; and prison-related reports in Other African Countries.

CSPRI Newsletter No. 27 - August 2008

This issue focuses on the latest amendments to the Correctional Services Act, which is written by Amanda Dissel (Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation)