Jailhouse rocked by scandal

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) had a humiliating breach in security when three half-naked women made their way into the Johannesburg’s Medium B prison’s premises recently.

Photos of half-naked women “entertaining” inmates at Johannesburg’s Medium B prison, commonly known as Sun City, sparked outrage across the country on Monday.

In an urgent media briefing on Monday morning, Acting National Correctional Services Commissioner James Smalberger confirmed the trending photos of half-naked women dancing for inmates of Sun City were taken at the prison.

Smalberger said the department was notified of the photos on Saturday and has since launched a formal investigation on Monday morning.

He said the department condemned the images and would leave no stone unturned in dealing with the matter.

Smalberger said preliminary investigations could link 13 correctional services employees, in both senior and junior management, to the breach in security by the scantily clad visitors.

“According to the report we received on the preliminary investigation, the pictures taken were of an event hosted, in line with the June Youth Month commemorations, on June 21, at the correctional centre. It involved external stakeholders, where part of the programme included entertainment.

“However, it transpired that the form of entertainment, as depicted on social media, was not approved as it was not in line with DCS policies and procedures, which are clear in terms of appropriate clothing and behaviour when inside a correctional environment. The management of the event should have never allowed, and should have immediately halted, this type of explicit entertainment, as pronounced by our policies.

“Therefore there was a clear breach of the security plan that was provided for the event as well as other relevant policies and procedures. This type of conduct is unacceptable, particularly in a correctional facility where security is of paramount importance.”

The department said preliminary findings indicated 13 officials would be served with letters of contemplation of suspension, which means they would be questioned and, based on the outcome of questioning, face suspension.

The Naturena prison facility said they wanted to apologise to the citizens of South Africa for the incident, which they confirmed to be disturbing.

“We will make sure that those found guilty face the consequences of their actions and also that sufficient measures are in place to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.”

Asked if the department was aware of previous cases of this nature, Smalberger said he could not confirm this but to his knowledge there were none.

He confirmed six items of entertainment were on the programme during the Youth Day celebration on June 21, but the illicit half-naked dancers were not approved.

Smalberger said speculation regarding the reason behind the incident would not be dismissed and would form part of investigations.

The department in Naturena houses some of the countries sexual offenders and convicted murderers.

The salacious encounter of inmates has been trending on social media and the public has expressed disgust at the shocking images of the strippers with amused inmates in the background.

Smalberger confidently dismissed the allegation that taxpayers’ money was used to pay for the inmate Youth Day celebration.

The department said rehabilitation initiatives of entertainment were often held for the inmates.

The department’s spokesperson Logan Maistry said the formal investigation started on Monday and feedback was due on Friday June 30.

He said the necessary steps would be taken as the incident had put the department in a bad light.

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