South Africa explores inmate exchange agreements
Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services says it’s concerned about the growing number of foreign nationals in the country's prisons.
Chairperson Jane Mananiso says costs have climbed to around R11 million a day.
The committee explained that South Africa isn't yet part of any inmate exchange agreements, which helps ease the burden.
However, Mananiso told the media that it could change.
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She says they're exploring amendments to the Correctional Services Act to allow foreign nationals serving life sentences to be transferred to their countries of origin.
" We intend to review this provision specifically as it relates to the incarceration of foreign nationals. We want to provide for foreign nationals serving life sentences to save them in their countries of our region.
"We have around 13,444 sentenced foreign nationals, and we have around 12,145 remand detainees. For the 13,444, we should enter into an exchange programme with the countries."
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