GROENPUNT – The Groenpunt Correctional Facility received dozens of computers for Department of Community Corrections officers on Thursday, May 25.
According to the Free State and Northern Cape spokesperson Josial Ramokoena, the computers are set to help their officers in bettering the process of tracking parolees.
Following a daylong session between scores of officers and the Chief Deputy Commissioner, recommendations to fully equip parole officers were tabled out for later implementation.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Ramokoena explained in detail the purpose of the event held at Groenpunt Management block and it’s importance for their officers.
“We are hosting the official handing over ceremony of computers allocated for the community corrections department in our region (Free State and Northern Cape facilities). We are having Chief Deputy Commissioner for the department, who interacted with officials to try and understand the challenges and frustrations they having on the ground and see to it that they are addressed,” he said.
Ramokoena said the department is trying to equip officers with tools of the trade to make their work easier.
“These computers will assist in tracking and monitoring parolees since we have a serious challenge as the department where in parolees are reoffending and finding themselves back in our facilities. This speaks to the adequacy of our services in correcting the inmate’s behavior,” he said.
The department also allocated beefed up vehicles in order for parole officers to get to any locations where their parolees are based.
“Some while back, the department also handed state vehicles (Bakkies) to community corrections which can travel in difficult terrains where ordinarily small vehicles can’t access,” he said.
