Vinícius Assis is a MoJo (Mobile Journalist) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, covering the whole Africa since 2018 for different media houses in Brazil, US and Europe.

Released by Justice, Brazilian Remains Imprisoned in South Africa Amid Pandemic

05 Jul 2020  |  Terra  |  Portuguese  |  Prison Conditions

Rafaela, a Brazilian woman imprisoned in South Africa for drug trafficking, remains detained despite a court order for her release due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her return to Brazil was thwarted by suspended flights. The article highlights the overcrowded prison conditions in South Africa, the impact of the pandemic on prison releases, and the broader context of drug trafficking between Brazil and Africa. The Brazilian Embassy and Federal Police are involved in monitoring and addressing these issues, with ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and support Brazilian detainees abroad.

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Federal Police of Brazil Ministry of International Relations Department of Correctional Services Brazilian Embassy in Pretoria

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Marvin Charles is a journalist based in Cape Town, South Africa. Writer for Independent Media for various titles such as Cape Argus, Cape Times and Independent Online (IOL)

Nearly 8,000 inmates on parole, probation in the Western Cape

29 Dec 2023  |  News24  |  English  |  Community Safety

In the Western Cape, over 5,000 inmates were released on parole and more than 2,000 on probation in 2023, raising concerns about the adequacy of parole officer staffing. Community policing forums are upset about not being consulted prior to releases, fearing that parolees may re-offend. The Department of Correctional Services provided statistics, while community leaders and an Action Society director expressed distrust in the rehabilitation process. High-profile cases like Norman Afzal Simons' release on parole after 28 years in prison for murder have heightened concerns. The MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety reported that some parolees have re-offended, and emphasized the need for effective monitoring of parolees to ensure community safety.

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Department of Correctional Services Action Society Community Policing Forums

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Pulane Choane is a community journalist with two year's experience. She has worked for radio station OFM as well as Bloemfontein Courant, which are both the flagship products of Central Media Group, which is in the Free State. She has also won the Mahareng Publishing 2017 Journalist of the Year ...

Correctional centre’s video system to save costs

01 Aug 2019  |  The Citizen  |  English  |  Technology in Law Enforcement

The Grootvlei Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein has implemented an audio-visual remands (AVR) broadcasting unit, which is praised by the deputy minister of the department of correctional services, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa. This technology connects magistrates’ courts with correctional detention centres via CCTV, allowing detainees awaiting trial to appear in court remotely. The system reduces transport costs and risks associated with moving detainees. The technology is also used to protect child victims in court by allowing them to testify via video link. The initiative, which began as a pilot project in 2005, is hoped to expand to more correctional centres nationwide.

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Department of Correctional Services Grootvlei Correctional Centre

Donna Ferguson is an award-winning freelance journalist, specialising in celebrity interviews, personal finance, education and lifestyle pieces for national newspapers. My articles appear regularly in The Guardian, The Observer, The Mail on Sunday and The Sunday Times. I also write for The Times, ...

Serratia marcescens Outbreak at a Correctional Facility: Environmental Sampling, Laboratory Analyses and Genomic Characterization to Assess Sources and Persistence

04 Sept 2023  |  MDPI  |  English  |  Public Health

A multi-year outbreak of Serratia marcescens at a California correctional facility was investigated using environmental sampling and genomic characterization. Whole genome sequencing identified a predominant cluster of clonally related S. marcescens strains from patient cases and items associated with illicit drug use. The study found that improperly diluted disinfectants, such as Cell Block 64 and Break Out, served as environmental reservoirs for the bacteria. The investigation revealed the persistence and diversity of outbreak strains, with no correlation between antimicrobial resistance genes. The findings underscore the importance of proper disinfectant use and maintenance to prevent such outbreaks.

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California Correctional Health Care Services California Department of Public Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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I am a journalist from Barcelona, now based in Berlin, with extensive experience in media and communications. My by-lines include international outlets like Foreign Policy and Euronews, as well as leading newspapers in Barcelona, such as La Vanguardia and Diari ARA. I report in Spanish, English, ...

Oscar Pistorius to be released from prison tomorrow, nearly eleven years after killing his girlfriend

04 Jan 2024  |  www.laopiniondemurcia.es  |  Spanish  |  Sports

Oscar Pistorius, the South African athlete imprisoned since 2014 for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, will be released on parole. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) of South Africa has outlined conditions for his release, including restrictions on alcohol, substances, and media interactions. Pistorius' parole will last until his sentence expires in 2029. His release follows a successful appeal to the South African Constitutional Court after a previous denial of parole. The case has drawn significant media attention, with Steenkamp's mother expressing doubts about Pistorius' rehabilitation.

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South African Supreme Court of Appeal Department of Correctional Services (DCS) South African Constitutional Court

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Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning multi media journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene including DW, VOA, TRT World and Africa Feeds.

South Africa: Oscar Pistorius released from jail on parole

05 Jan 2024  |  africafeeds.com  |  English  |  Legal Proceedings

Oscar Pistorius, the South African Paralympic star, has been released on parole after serving nine years for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The Department of Correctional Services confirmed his release, stating he is now under community corrections. Reeva Steenkamp's mother, June, accepted the decision but expressed that her family continues to suffer. Pistorius, once a celebrated athlete, was convicted of murder in 2015 after initially being sentenced for culpable homicide. His sentence was later extended to 13 years and five months. The parole board considered various factors before granting his release.

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Supreme Court of Appeal Department of Correctional Services Constitutional Court

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Eric Kasongo is a seasoned bilingual journalist (French-English) based in Cape Town, South Africa, with a specialized focus on political and economic affairs in both South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His expertise spans critical sectors such as mining and energy, where he has ...

South Africa: Zuma will not return to prison

11 Aug 2023  |  Matière News  |  French  |  Political Figures

South Africa's Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola announced that former President Jacob Zuma will not return to prison. The Constitutional Court upheld a decision that Zuma's medical parole granted by former commissioner Arthur Fraser was illegal. Interim commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale decided that Zuma's time on medical parole would count as time served, and Zuma has now received a remission of his sentence as part of a broader effort to reduce prison overcrowding.

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Supreme Court of Appeal South African Department of Correctional Services Constitutional Court

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Oliver Meth is an award-winning South African based Journalist, available for assignments in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng provinces.

He is a researcher, writer, filmmaker and social advocacy journalist on development issues. Oliver has a particular focus on environmental rights, public ...

Facebook rapist: Deputy Minister was informed by warder that Thabo Bester escaped

11 Oct 2023  |  groundup.org.za  |  English  |  Crime

On 11 June 2022, a prison warder at Mangaung Correctional Center informed Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Phathekile Holomisa, via email that Thabo Bester, known as the 'Facebook rapist', had escaped, contradicting the official report of his death by self-immolation. Despite multiple emails, no action was taken, and the warder faced victimization and transfer. Evidence suggests the body found in Bester's cell was not his, and the case has been reclassified from suicide to murder. The Justice Ministry is currently attempting to locate the emails in question.

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Department of Correctional Services Justice Ministry

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Elia Ntali is an award winning journalist with ten years experience writing on socio political, humanitarian and Health issues and is based in Harare, Zimbabwe.

He contributed articles to various online publication within and outside Zimbabwe including renowned international news outlets

Mnangagwa Grants Full Remission of Sentence to Various Categories of Prisoners

05 Oct 2023  |  www.263chat.com  |  English  |  Prison Overcrowding

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued a directive granting amnesty to various categories of inmates in Zimbabwe to address prison overcrowding and ensure justice reform. The amnesty includes full remission of sentences for female inmates, juveniles, terminally ill prisoners, and those with disabilities, provided they meet certain conditions. The directive also commutes death sentences to life imprisonment for inmates on death row for ten years or more and grants remission to inmates aged sixty and above. The Department of Correctional Services, in collaboration with Social Welfare, is responsible for implementing these directives.

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Department of Correctional Services Government of Zimbabwe Social Welfare

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Narissa Subramoney is a journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Breaking: South African blade runner Oscar Pistorius granted parole

05 Oct 2023  |  BGTN | BRICS Global Television Network  |  English  |  Rehabilitation

The South African Department of Correctional Services has granted parole to paralympian Oscar Pistorius, effective January 5, 2024. Pistorius, convicted of culpable homicide in 2014 and sentenced to 13 years and five months in 2017, will serve the remainder of his sentence under community corrections. The decision, made by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board, aligns with the Correctional Services Act and aims to support Pistorius' rehabilitation and reintegration.

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Correctional Supervision and Parole Board South African Department of Correctional Services

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