Update: Barberton Maximum Prison hunger strike continues
A total of 96 offenders serving life sentence at Barberton Medium B, opted not to have breakfast yesterday. The prime issue was parole consideration of lifers, largely complaining about the backlog.
According to a statement released by Mesia Hlungwani, spokesman for Department of Correctional Services, at the Barberton facility the area Commissioner of Barberton Management Area, Mr Solly Netshivhazwaulu addressed them upon receiving their grievances.
“What must be understood is that there are a number of factors leading to a backlog. Combined lack of reports from social workers and psychologists as well as outstanding restorative justice interventions were the main reasons why submission of inmate profiles to parole boards are delayed,” reads the statement.
“One of the ways in which the department is attempting to deal with the problem is to set up a database with the details of all lifers and when they are due for parole. Hence our provinces have established task teams to manage the backlog of parole applications.”
THURSDAY 11 January: According to the prisoners, their files are not being processed because there is missing information which they do not have access to, therefore, they suspect the administrative department is not doing their job.
Hlungwani said he could not confirm if it was a hunger strike but would be able to confirm later.
