Inmates serving long-term sentences for serious offences were informed last week that they were to be released on parole.

Twenty-two prisoners of the Kutama Sinthumule Maximum Security Prison who had served part of their sentences were transferred to the Correctional Centre Makhado to be released on parole. They were serving their sentences at the maximum security prison according to an agreement between the State and the private prison. There they were informed that they would be released and given their release dates. Following this, the inmates celebrated with their families who came to visit them. During the course of last week, however, the promised parole was put on hold and the inmates were transferred from the Correctional Centre Makhado to the Thohoyandou State Prison after the Area Commissioner, Annannias Mbewe, personally intervened in the matter.

On Tuesday this week, Mbewe confirmed that the group of inmates were told that they would be released.

"Just imagine prisoners who still have to serve sentences like 29, 17 or 14 years being on parole. There were those with an original sentence of 37 years. You don’t get that for nothing; it must have been murder or rape or other very serious crimes," said one shocked prison official. The assistant director of the Correctional Centre Makhado, Director RG Ndambakuwa, declined to give any comment.

The idea that serious offenders would be out on parole made community members cringe with horror. "I don’t think the serious criminals will be rehabilitated," was said.

According to Mbewe, the prisoners were granted parole by the Parole Board. He appealed to the Parole Review Committee, a higher body.

"It is apparent that some of the factors were not considered in terms of the release on parole when the decision was taken. When I doubt any release, I should make an appeal. I am not saying it was a mistake, but that not all of the requirements for release on parole were met," Mbewe said. "The inmates had completed one third of their sentences but factors like the length of the sentence and the nature of the offences were not considered."

There are strict requirements to be met before a prisoner can be released on parole. In terms of the Correctional Services Act, 1998, offenders are not considered for parole until they have served at least half of their original sentences or the non-parole period, whichever is the longer period. Courts are empowered to build a non-parole period into the sentence of any convicted criminal. This period may be as much as two-thirds of the total sentence. A person declared a habitual criminal may not be considered for parole before having served at least seven years in prison. Offenders serving a life sentence may not be considered for parole until they have served at least 25 years of their sentence.

The Minister of Correctional Services inaugurated the correctional supervision and parole boards (CSPBs) in July 2005.