Polokwane Correctional Centre sees reduction in smuggled contraband
Acting Divisional Head of Security at the centre, Malahla Ramoroka said one of the biggest motivators for the prison to conduct regular searches for contraband, is to rid prisons of gangsterism.
POLOKWANE – The Polokwane prison has seen a reduction in the amount of contraband from the public smuggled into the rehabilitation centre over the past two years. The Correctional Services Centre is hosting its annual roadshow throughout various areas around Polokwane from 23 September and is expected to conclude on Friday.
You might also want to read:Â Warrant officer arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs into Polokwane correctional facility
The prison houses a total of 1 306 inmates with 40 sharing a cell.
Acting Divisional Head of Security at the centre, Malahla Ramoroka told BONUS the purpose of the roadshow is to combat the influx of contraband that enters the centre. He said the smuggling of illegal substances into the centre, which is a rehabilitation centre, is unacceptable.
“When we go on roadshows, we inform the public of the dangers they expose the inmates to when smuggling in substances or weapons.” Detainees are searched for any illegal items daily. “Once we confiscate these items from the inmates on the inside, the prisoners’ privileges are reduced.”
You might also want to read:Â Glimpse behind bars in Polokwane
He listed the most common contraband smuggled into the centre as drugs such as dagga, nyaope and crystal meth. Other items include cellphones, knives, pangas and cellphone accessories.
He says one of the biggest motivators for the prison to conduct regular searches, is to rid prisons of gangsterism. “We noted this gangster tendency, from inmates coming from Phalaborwa and Tzaneen. Some of these men get here and they think it is something to be proud of.” He said gangsterism was not an issue in the female section of the prison, but something very prevalent among male inmates.
Abraham Muller, Head of the centre says the public should realise that by bringing contraband into the centre, they are inflating crime and also committing a crime themselves. “We are pleading with society to not add to crime as we are trying our best to rehabilitate all the inmates.” An emergency support team, that is skilled in detecting contraband, is hard at work.
During a recent search on Saturday, 18 cellphones were confiscated. “Some of these people go as far as hiding the items in their bodies in order to try and smuggle in the goods.”
On a more positive note, he added that they have seen a decline in the amount of contraband smuggled in, partly because of proper monitoring.
