Modderbee Correctional Centre presents huge escape risks
A blunt disregard by management of warnings regarding serious security breaches has resulted in numerous escapes from Modderbee Correctional Centre in Gauteng.
The Public Servants Association (PSA), representing thousands of Correctional Officers, is questioning why the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has not taken strong steps against the management of the Centre.
"The continued disregard by the Area Commissioner, the Regional Commissioner and even DCS Head Office of the concerns raised by PSA representatives at Modderbee Correctional Centre has directly contributed to the latest of five escapes up to December 2013. Months before the second-last escape, the PSA lodged a complaint with the Centre's management regarding the non-functioning of the electric fence.
This was ignored and after the escape, these same persons had to investigate and admitted that the security fence had been defective for more than two years. Despite this acknowledgment of negligence, there were no consequences for management," said PSA Deputy General Manager, Manie de Clercq.
The PSA cited various instances were stringent steps were instituted against senior officials following escapes from correctional centres in, amongst others, Heidelberg, Baviaanspoort and Boksburg.