Department of Correctional Services officials smuggle drugs, cellphones and weapons to prisoners to earn extra cash, senior DCS management in the Eastern Cape have confirmed.
Many officials who have been caught have been suspended and are at risk of losing their jobs, but others say low salaries are responsible for them venturing into the risky business.
Some go as far as trading their uniforms to inmates to make money.
An official in East London who wanted to remain anonymous said there was no dignity in wearing a prison uniform any more.
“We are not proud of this uniform. Instead of rehabilitating these criminals, we make them smarter criminals. We allow these foreign weapons to be smuggled in as we want to make money,” said the official.
Another official said at times some “influential” inmates put them under pressure to do this.
“Inmates have a way of blackmailing. Once you are caught in their web, it’s difficult for you to find a way out. At times they record us and when you want out, they threaten to expose you. We are trapped and the best way is to get a transfer to another facility,” said the officer.
“I smuggle contraband to make ends meet. With a better salary I would not be doing this,” he said.
Eastern Cape DCS regional commissioner Nkosinathi Breakfast said it was an open secret the department was saddled with a few corrupt officials “who have become like an albatross around our necks”.
“We clean the centres of all cell-phones, self-made knives and other contraband today and we see those items back in the cells tomorrow. Most times the culprits are our own officials,” said Breakfast.
lRecently, a Grahamstown correctional centre female official was caught with dagga in her lunch box during a routine search of staff at the institution’s gate; and
lA male correctional official at the St Alban’s correctional centre was caught during a search at the gate with mandrax, cellphones and cellphone chargers. These officials have been suspended and are facing disciplinary hearings.
Breakfast said smuggling of contraband was allegedly practised by service providers like building, water treatment, sewerage contractors and visitors as well.
Another warder who used to work with inmates said he had a problem with alcohol. “Many of my colleagues have this similar problem.
“We get loans from these inmates and we need to be honest, they control us,” said the official.
But Breakfast said managers at the correctional centres conducted work sessions to remind officials about the importance of adhering to security principles all the time within the facilities. —bonganif@dispatch.co.za
They ‘have a way of blackmailing’
Many officials who have been caught have been suspended and are at risk of losing their jobs, but others say low salaries are responsible for them venturing into the risky business.
Some go as far as trading their uniforms to inmates to make money.
An official in East London who wanted to remain anonymous said there was no dignity in wearing a prison uniform any more.
“We are not proud of this uniform. Instead of rehabilitating these criminals, we make them smarter criminals. We allow these foreign weapons to be smuggled in as we want to make money,” said the official.
Another official said at times some “influential” inmates put them under pressure to do this.
“Inmates have a way of blackmailing. Once you are caught in their web, it’s difficult for you to find a way out. At times they record us and when you want out, they threaten to expose you. We are trapped and the best way is to get a transfer to another facility,” said the officer.
“I smuggle contraband to make ends meet. With a better salary I would not be doing this,” he said.
Eastern Cape DCS regional commissioner Nkosinathi Breakfast said it was an open secret the department was saddled with a few corrupt officials “who have become like an albatross around our necks”.
“We clean the centres of all cell-phones, self-made knives and other contraband today and we see those items back in the cells tomorrow. Most times the culprits are our own officials,” said Breakfast.
lRecently, a Grahamstown correctional centre female official was caught with dagga in her lunch box during a routine search of staff at the institution’s gate; and
lA male correctional official at the St Alban’s correctional centre was caught during a search at the gate with mandrax, cellphones and cellphone chargers. These officials have been suspended and are facing disciplinary hearings.
Breakfast said smuggling of contraband was allegedly practised by service providers like building, water treatment, sewerage contractors and visitors as well.
Another warder who used to work with inmates said he had a problem with alcohol. “Many of my colleagues have this similar problem.
“We get loans from these inmates and we need to be honest, they control us,” said the official.
But Breakfast said managers at the correctional centres conducted work sessions to remind officials about the importance of adhering to security principles all the time within the facilities. —bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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