Boksburg Correctional Services inmates receive their Covid-19 jabs

Inmates at the Boksburg Correctional Services reacted positively to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

July 27, 2021

Ntombikayise Sibeko 1 minute read

Boksburg Correctional Services inmate Jurie Page received his jab on July 21. With him is Sr Nokuthula Nofemele.

About 100 inmates at the Boksburg Correctional Services received a dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine on July 21, the first day of the vaccination rollout at the centre.

While some inmates expressed excitement, some were hesitant.

The Minister of Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, has launched the vaccination rollout for correctional services officials and inmates, and by July 19, more than 2 569 inmates across the country had been vaccinated.

Speaking to the Advertiser, inmates at the Boksburg Correctional Services said they were happy they’ve been considered for the vaccine because their crowded cells make it difficult for them to practise social distancing.

The first day of the vaccination rollout at the Boksburg Correctional Services got underway smoothly on July 21. Monde Nozuko told the Advertiser he was happy to receive his jab. With him is Sr Duduzile Mbatha.

One of the prisoners, Monde Nozuko, said he was pleased he has been vaccinated.

Another inmate, Johannes Laubscher, said he was a bit sceptical to be vaccinated because of all the rumours he has heard about the vaccine.

Boksburg Correctional Services health manager Stanley Maleke said they started administering the Johnson and Johnson single-dose vaccine to inmates from 10:00.

Around 11:30 when the Advertiser visited the centre, about 40 inmates had been vaccinated by the prison’s qualified pharmacists.

Before getting their jabs, inmates at the Boksburg Correctional Services had to be registered and screened before being inoculated.

“Our target per day is to inoculate 100 inmates. We are targeting everyone, irrespective of their age. Our vaccination process is voluntarily.”

Explaining the process, Maleke said inmates start by registering then proceed to receive their vouchers and then get screened before receiving their jabs.

“We also have an emergency station where inmates who are not reacting positively to the vaccine are taken to. We also have an ambulance on standby if there are any health complications,” said Maleke.

Meanwhile, the head of Centre A, Hendrik Smith, said he welcomed the department’s decision to roll out the vaccination to offenders as this will assist in combating the spread of coronavirus within the centre.

“We are satisfied that the virus has been contained within our facility,” he said.

The Department of Correctional Services has since suspended visits at all centres across the country as part of implementing preventative measures to curb the spread of the virus.