More healthcare workers needed in prisons

Chief Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services James Smalberger, says that the department is urgently seeking more healthcare workers to provide professional services to prisoners. Image: Blomerus

Briefing the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services in Cape Town, the department said more psychologists, social workers, medical practitioners, pharmacists and nurses are needed, with the average vacancy rate standing at 16.3% at the end of July this year.

However, the leader of the departmental delegation, Chief Deputy Commissioner James Smalberger, said their recruitment and retention strategy is beginning to make important gains.

The number of psychologists employed by the department has increased from about 40 to 68. The department reported that over the same period, the number of inmates has dropped from 187,000 to 156,000.

Smalberger said currently, inmate access to psychological services is three times that of ordinary uninsured South Africans.

The 68 psychologists are employed on a full-time basis to provide help to the 155,000 inmates in 241 correctional centres nationally.

Of the 286 vacancies in the scarce skills categories, 78 have already been advertised.

The department's recruitment and retention strategy includes granting of special higher salary notches, providing scarce skills and rural allowances, training and career growth, as well as recognising and awarding excellence among staff.

Smalberger said the department is also training correctional officials as rehabilitators.