Bethal Correctional Services officials celebrate Corrections Week
A presentation was given about standard operations procedures (SOP) Chapter 5, which deals with the discipline of inmates, and the maintenance of security and order in all correctional centres.
The Bethal Management Area (Correctional Services) held numerous activities that were aimed to support Corrections Week.
With September being Public Service Month, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) declared the week of September 15 to 21 as Corrections Week.
The theme for this year is ‘Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy Towards Shaping the Future of Corrections’.
“Corrections Week highlights that rehabilitation and not punishment work in correcting offending behaviour, and the involvement of family, community and society at large is critical in the rehabilitation and social reintegration,” said Siphiwe Mahlangu, spokesman for Bethal Correctional Services.
A presentation was given about standard operations procedures (SOP) Chapter 5, which deals with the discipline of inmates, and the maintenance of security and order in all correctional centres.
“This was followed by a surprise search by Bethal Management Area, Emergency Support Team (EST) that was conducted in Ermelo Correctional Centre. Cellphones, sharp objects, smoking pipes, money and other illegal items were confiscated,” said Mahlangu
The head of Bethal Correctional Centre Enoch Chonco, reminded his officials about the importance and understanding of policy documents of the SOP of security measures of the DCS.
Part of the Corrections Week was a prayer session conducted by various spiritual leaders of different denominations at Kopanong Hall, Bethal Correctional Centre.
ALSO CHECK: Vrou van Bronkies helder oordag in huis aangeval
The purpose was to implore the intervention of divine power on various issues that affect the lives of officials and offenders.
Area commissioner Abel Mashaba said: “As officials of DCS, we need prayers because of the tough nature of duties we perform.
“We spend our days with people that had committed nefarious criminalities towards the society.
“We also have a responsibility to rehabilitate these people. Therefore, we need prayer to help us to execute those duties.”
ALSO CHECK: Primary school in eMbalenhle hosts programmes to interact with parents, community
