Recommendations for Enhancing the Independence and Effectiveness of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services

The Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services (JICS) is a vital watchdog body that oversees South Africa’s correctional system, and is mandated to inspect and report on the treatment of inmates. To be an effective independent oversight mechanism for a correctional system that is mired with challenges, JICS requires strong institutional independence as well as support and cooperation from other departments such as the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the South African Police Service (SAPS). Just Detention International (JDI), Sonke Gender Justice Network (Sonke), and the Wits Justice Project (WJP) are concerned that JICS lacks adequate independence (including operational, financial and perceived independence) from DCS, and it is not sufficiently empowered to carry out its mandate to help protect inmates’ human rights. While the full submission outlines a number of important challenges facing JICS, our key recommendations are summarised here.