Why is Sonke going to court to address prison oversight?

On 13 December 2016, Sonke filed an application in the Western Cape High Court against the government and the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) to facilitate greater oversight of South African prisons (correctional centres). Sonke is seeking an order declaring that the current legislation that regulates JICS is unconstitutional, as it does not guarantee JICS’ independence and capacity.

Here is what you need to know about the pending case: