Groenewald decries deficiencies in parole system: ‘It’s unacceptable’ - EWN

Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald said the parole system has serious deficiencies, where even high-risk offenders like murderers are released by parole boards.

He said this needs to be addressed, as serious and violent criminals who should ideally be behind bars are released back into the communities to serve parole.

Groenewald raised the concern during his department’s briefing on the overhaul of the parole system in Parliament on Tuesday.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is introducing several reforms to overhaul the parole system.

This includes the reintroduction of the electronic monitoring of new parolees.

Groenewald said the current system has serious deficiencies, like how high-risk reoffenders are released on technicalities because not all murderers receive a life sentence.