Probationers and parolees clean up children’s home

The Nigel Correctional Service Social Reintegration Office embarked on a cleaning campaign at the Dunnottar’s Chance Children’s Home on Wednesday.

The cleaning campaign was coordinated by Joseph Jabu Shabangu, the responsible area supervisor of Nigel, Devon, Alra Park, Selcourt and Dunnottar.

The head of the Social Reintegration Office for Community Corrections, Katiso Rantlha, said Chance Children’s Home submitted a request to the office in January, asking for assistance cleaning their institution.

“As part of the mandate, community corrections offices are to partner with NGOs, NPOs and government institutions for projects of such nature by utilising parolees/probationers as part of their set parole conditions by the courts or the Correctional Supervision Parole Boards (CSPB),” he said.

The project was well-executed by at least 15 parolees/probationers under the eye of correctional officers, Israel Chabalala, Sibongile Mtshali and Harris Scheffers.

The CEO of the institution, Calvin Nongogo, was delighted to see institutions such as the Department of Correctional Services render service to the community where it is due. He stated forged partnerships are what the institution is imploring for and believes the cleaning campaign done on the day was not the end of it.

Nongogo mentioned there was still a lot of work to do at the institution that requires attention and he pleaded with the department that should they need their services by utilising the parolees/probationers, they will gladly appreciate it.

Rantlha said going forward, such projects should be carried out across all the areas the office is servicing.

“It will be determined by the requests coming to our office from institutions that might need assistance. The campaign at the home was the start of a new agreement with the newly appointed CEO, Nongogo. We will have to create job opportunities for parolees /probationers as some of the work at the institution requires more manpower and more time,” he said.

Rantlha said parolees /probationers ordered by the courts or CSPB to perform community service without expecting remuneration are encouraged to seek employment.

“Nongogo also needs to look into employing them either on a temporary basis or otherwise,” he said.