Correctional Services on Minister Pieter Groenewald handling backlog of lifer parole applications
17 September 2024
Today, the Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, apprised the Portfolio Committee of Correctional Services of the current status regarding lifer parole applications.
The National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS) evaluates profile reports of offenders serving life sentences and makes recommendations to the Minister, who holds the ultimate authority to consider parole.
During his tenure of two and a half months, Dr Groenewald received 60 new lifer profiles from the NCCS, all of which have been attended to. He also attended to 325 historic applications.
Upon assuming office, Dr Groenewald inherited 495 lifer profiles from the 6th administration, of which only 170 are still pending final consideration. He has pledged to resolve this backlog by 15 October 2024.