https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/27032 2026-05-12T19:23:10Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/27039 Harm reduction in correctional centres: a South African perspective based on studies in Gauteng Correctional Centres Luyt, Willem Frederik Muller; Moshoeu, G.M. Harm reduction in the South African correctional system has never been adopted as a policy. What is exercised, however, is a health policy that includes certain elements of harm reduction. Despite some expensive inclusions in the health policy approach, for example HIV testing and provision of antiretroviral medication, basic and inexpensive measures to reduce harm are still excluded. One example is the provision of sterilising facilities for tattooing equipment. Another exclusion is the denial of injection drug use inside correctional centres, contrary to evidence that this practice occurs. More complicated exclusions would include the blatant denial of rape, in particular male rape. These matters are dealt with under the umbrella of sexual assault, despite the existence of legislation that clearly makes provision for (male) rape behind bars. Although the Department of Correctional Services has a positive, commendable approach to many aspects of harm reduction, an encompassing harm reduction strategy is urgently needed. As long as matters of harm are dealt with as if they are merely matters of health, no strategy will be sufficient to address the risk inmates are exposed to. This article investigates harm reduction in the South African correctional system. The Gauteng Province (with the largest number of inmates in the country) serves as basis for the study, while national statistics are used to contextualise various harm reduction aspects. Deficiencies in reducing harm are also pointed out 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/15064 Contemporary corrections in South Africa after more than a decade of transformation Luyt, Willem Frederik Muller South Africa entered its second decade as a democracy. During this period the State was obliged to transform in various areas of Government. The process of transformation was eagerly implemented and executed in the Department of Correctional Services. This Department is a major role-player in the criminal justice system. Responsibilities span over a large front and include the management of persons awaiting trial, sentenced offenders who are imprisoned, those sentenced to community corrections, and offenders who were released on parole. This article investigates that process of transformation. Particular areas of investigation include, inter alia, the reasons for transformation, Constitutional and other legal influences, personnel issues, prison crowding, management philosophies, privatisation of State assets, and dealing with HIV/AIDS. The investigation highlights successes in transformation, but also deals with areas where transformation could have been more successful. The discussion is regarded important for understanding progress and obstacles experienced by societies in transition. 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/15065 Imprisoned mothers in South African Prisons with children outside of the institution Luyt, Willem Frederik Muller 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/15067 South African Correctional Centres and the need to rethink approaches to HIV/AIDS Luyt, Willem Frederik Muller HIV/AIDS treatment inside South African correctional centres recently dominated headline discussions. Every country should take measures to ensure good health for all citizens. The right to health is a Constitutional right in South Africa. Although certain Constitutional rights may be limited, the right to health should not be exposed to limitations when the interest of society as a whole becomes affected. Therefore, there could be little doubt that the management of HIV/AIDS in correctional settings is more important today than ever before. During 2003 South African prison authorities admitted that HIV/AIDS in correctional centres is an enormous problem and that the rate of prevalence and growth is unknown. The seriousness of the issue was compounded by overcrowding, poor health facilities and violence. In this article the position of South Africa concerning HIV/AIDS as a particular health care phenomenon is investigated against the background of developments and actions inside the correctional centres of the country. Emphasis is be placed on the undeniable link between prison health and public health, which underpins the need to rethink approaches to HIV/AIDS in correctional centres 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z