Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester’s prison escape has shined the spotlight on how dysfunctional the South African prison system is.
Despite the government’s inaction over the past 20 years to address corruption in these prisons, prompt action is now necessary to establish a sense of order in the current circumstances. Thus, South Africa must look towards innovative prisons driven by fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies to bring change.
Just over 20 years ago, the ANC launched the Jali Commission, which was an investigation into the state of South African prison systems.
The Jali Commission’s findings alerted the government that the South African prison system was characterised by corruption, violence, sexual violence, fraud, mismanagement, embezzlement, and the drug trade. The system is corrupt to its core, with some Correctional Services…
