Prison Crisis: Inmates wait over 10 years for sentencing as overcrowding soars
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has warned that South Africa’s prison system is under severe strain, revealing that more than 63,000 remand detainees are among a total inmate population of 169,519, with overcrowding now sitting at 58%.
Tabling the department’s budget vote in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Groenewald said the correctional system was operating in a difficult environment shaped by shrinking budgets, rising inmate numbers and long-term detention backlogs.
He said the department was facing budget reductions of R683.4 million over the medium-term expenditure framework, a cut that he warned was already affecting staffing levels, infrastructure maintenance and the ability to maintain safe and effective custody.
“The Department of Correctional Services must absorb budget reductions amounting to R683.4 million,” he said.
He added that these constraints were placing pressure on the department’s ability to fill critical posts and maintain appropriate staff-to-inmate ratios.
Groenewald said the department’s total allocation for the current financial year stands at R30.939 billion, projected to grow to R32.8 billion by 2029, but noted that more than 70% of the budget is consumed by personnel costs.
He raised particular concern about the high number of remand detainees held for extended periods without final sentencing, saying, “We even have people waiting for more than 10 years.”
The minister said the situation was worsening, overcrowding and placing additional pressure on already stretched facilities, infrastructure and correctional officials.
Despite the challenges, Groenewald said the department was pursuing internal reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs, particularly through expanded self-sufficiency initiatives.
He said correctional centres had increased agricultural production and internal manufacturing capacity, producing vegetables, meat, dairy products, uniforms and furniture for state use.
A key example, he said, was the expansion of prison bakeries. Following earlier openings in Standerton and Pietermaritzburg, a new bakery was launched in Durban in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing the total to 12 facilities nationwide.
“This has enabled the Department to save more than R77.1 million on bread in the 25/26 financial year,” Groenewald said, adding that a 13th bakery at Qalakabusha was nearing completion and would soon be operational.
He said the department intended to expand the programme further, with plans to establish seven additional bakeries by 2028, with the long-term goal of making each management area self-sufficient in bread production.
Groenewald said security operations had also been intensified, with unannounced raids increasing significantly across correctional facilities. He said the department had carried out 1,406 raids, up from 466 previously, representing a 200% increase.
“These operations resulted in the confiscation of 37,500 cell phones and other contraband,” he said, adding that more than 8,000 cell phones and over R102,700 in cash were seized during the December and January holiday period alone.
He said the findings should not be interpreted as failure, but rather as evidence of a more aggressive enforcement strategy inside correctional centres.
Groenewald also announced a strict zero-tolerance approach to cell phone use in prisons, which will include a phased rollout of two-way radio systems and a ban on officials bringing personal mobile phones into facilities.
“We are effectively purging our prisons of illegal activities,” he said, warning that those involved in corruption or contraband smuggling would face consequences.
The minister said 2,388 officials had faced disciplinary hearings during the reporting period, with 2,138 cases finalised.
Of these, 137 were linked to contraband-related misconduct, he said.
He also confirmed the reintroduction of long-service medals recognising officials with 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 years of service, saying the initiative was aimed at restoring institutional pride and recognising loyalty within the department.
A total of 187 officials have already been honoured for 40 years of faithful service, said Groenewald.
Groenewald also said he had engaged all heads of correctional centres nationwide and directed the National Commissioner to strengthen training and introduce annual assessments for senior officials.
“Each day presents a fresh opportunity to restore, improve and create hope for a future that is safe, peaceful and prosperous,” he said, adding that correctional services would continue to protect South Africans through “discipline, accountability and hard and ethical work.”
