Inmates appeal for ‘one day parole’

MBABANE – Inmates at the Matsapha Maximum Correctional Services are appealing to Members of Parliament (MPs) to push for the passing of the Correctional Services Act, 2017 regulations.

Six MPs and one senator visited Matsapha Maximum Correctional Facility for an end of celebration with the inmates. The legislators are Deputy Speaker and Mhlangatane MP Madala Mhlanga, Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtetwa, Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini, Mayiwane MP Sicelo Dlamini, Kwaluseni MP Sifiso Shongwe and Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba. Also joining them was Senator Celumusa Mndvoti. Former Hosea MP Bacede Mabuza, businessman Sipho Shongwe and Kakona Dlamini were among the inmates that celebrated with the legislators. Mhlanga, who led the MPs to the facility, revealed that this was part of the rehabilitation programme for the inmates as depicted in the Act. He said that they had fruitful engagements with the inmates and one issue in particular was that of the regulations.

“They made a plea that we should push for the passing of the regulations so that the Act could be operationalised. The act has provisions for such things as release of offenders on day parole and that formed part of the discussions,” he said.

Section 134 of the Correctional Services Act, 2017, provides that, subject to sub-regulation (3) and (4), the commissioner general on advice of the Local Review Committee may authorise the release on day parole of a convicted offender, who has served one half of the earliest possible date of release where such offender has displayed meritorious conduct, self-discipline, responsibility and industry during such term served.

Meanwhile, Mhlanga also revealed that they had discussions with some Correctional officials and their appeal was on improved budget for His Majesty’s Correctional Services.

He said that they noted that the diet and uniform of the inmates were not satisfactory. HMCS Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) Assistant Chief Officer Baphelele Kunene confirmed the visit of the MPs to the maximum Correctional facility in Matsapha.

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