The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) of the Republic of South Africa, as Chair of the Wellness, Health and Sports Working Group hosted the SADC Secretariat and Working Group members from the United Republic of Tanzania, and Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe on 24-28 February 2025, Durban, Republic South Africa.
The workshop was officially opened by the Chief Deputy Commissioner: Human Resources and Development, Ms Linda Bond, who highlighted that the Working Group is responsible to promote health, well-being, sports and recreational activities in correction services, contribute to individuals' empowerment, and promote the development of inclusive regional programmes, that ensure the holistic wellness of officers and inmates. She further highlighted that the Wellness, Health and Sports Working Group is tasked with:
Playing the leading role in developing, promoting and implementing programmes to ensure regional integration through sports activities.
Ensuring the Regional Games are conducted, as guided by CPSC and coordinate all the necessary logistical and administrative arrangements (TORs, financial proposal, etc) and conduct inspection of sports facilities and accommodation prior to the games.
Providing guidance on wellness and other recreational activities.
Ensuring the development of health-related activities and development of health-related policies, frameworks, and related instruments.
In her remarks, Ms. Kealeboga Moruti, Senior Officer Public Security at the SADC Secretariat, highlighted that health and wellness consideration for inmates and staff of Corrections and Prisons is critical for Prisons and Corrections to comply with international Standards on Health and Wellness. She also highlighted that the health Assessment will offer guidance to the Member States where there are gaps and challenges. In this manner tailored response can be implemented for both the inmates and staff.
The Working Group was approved by SADC the Ministerial Council of Organ (MCO) in July 2024 to prioritise the development of a Regional Employee Wellness and Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines for Corrections/Prisons/Penitentiary staff and inmates. The Guidelines are to be aligned to International Standards, such as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules); The United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules), and the UN Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules), as well as regional instruments such as the SADC Corrections/Prisons/Penitentiary Strategic Action Plan (2021-2025).
In addition, the Working Group also worked on a Regional Health Assessment Tool for Corrections/Prisons/Penitentiary settings, which will guide data collection for an in-depth rapid review on Health in Prisons in the SADC region. The SADC Secretariat, as directed by the Heads of Corrections in their June 2024 meeting held in Zambia, is developing the tool in line with the SADC Corrections/Prisons/Penitentiary Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025, as well as national and global health and prison policies and instruments.
To strengthen experience sharing and learning, Member States visited the Westville Correctional Facility in Durban, to learn and interact with staff on the Department’s Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability Programmes and selected correctional programmes aimed at the rehabilitation and reintegration, as well as general care for inmates. The working group also visited the Pharmacy, the brand-new Bakery, Mother and Baby, and Hospital Units at the Female Centre and the Textile Workshops, based at the facility.
The Working Group will present recommendations and Draft Guidelines for endorsement at the upcoming Corrections/Prisons Sub-Committee (CPSC) meeting scheduled in June 2025.
