"We are in control of prisons in province" EC correctional commissioner

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Eastern Cape Correctional Services Commissioner, Nkosinathi Breakfast, says his department is in control of prisons in the province.

He was responding to safety concerns raised by the South African Correctional Services Union following recent incidents at St Albans prison.

The union, which is not officially recognised by the Department of Corrections, recently dropped leaflets in prisons raising concern about the safety of prison warders after a warder was stabbed at St Albans.

However, in a statement, the provincial commissioner said the union portrayed the situation as being out of control.

Commissioner Breakfast says Corrections Minister, Sibusiso Ndebele, recently held meetings with recognised unions to discuss their concerns.

"After meeting the minister established a task team which is comprised of management and also the two unions to deal with those outstanding issues and also issues that affect working members and what working conditions they want improved" Breakfast said.