The average daily total of prisoners of all races in SA has been steadily increasing, as the following figures show:
1969-70 90,500 1970-71 91,000 1971-72 91,200 1972-73 95,000 1973-74 98,821
This is despite a small decrease in the total number of those imprisoned yearly, from 364,000 in 1972-73 to 342,000 sentenced prisoners in 1973-74. Short term prisoners (sentenced to less than 4 months) account for four-fifths (277,000 in 1973-74) of all those jailed; the vast majority of these are Africans convicted under the 'pass laws.' If 'awaiting trial' prisoners are included with sentenced prisoners, then the total number of admitted prisoners for the year 1973-74 was 625,000. Of these, 87 were under sentence of death.
"REHABILITATION CENTRES"
In June 1975 the press uncovered a government plan to open 'rehabilitation centres' in the homelands. They are intended to accommodate Africans convicted of pass law contraventions, in order to reduce the numbers going to prison. The stated first object of the centres is to train inmates "in habits of industry and work"; secondary aims are 're-orienting' them towards their respective 'national units' (i.e. tribal homelands) and fostering regard for observance of the laws of the country. In fact the institutions will be virtual prison work camps, for every inmate shall be obliged to work, for up to 56 hours a week, either within the institution or for the state or the 'Bantu authority' concerned. Payment for this work "shall be a privilege to be earned by work" and the rates determined by the Secretary (i.e. the permanent head) of the Prisons Department. As in the South African prisons, an inmate found guilty of discipline can be sentenced to extra work, one day without food, or solitary confinement.
Although situated in the Bantustans, the centres will be controlled by the Pretoria government. The first two centres are already under construction, by prison labour. The outcry against these institutions has been so great that the government may be forced to cut back or even shelve the plan, but this is not yet definite.
"NO AMNESTY", SAYS KRUGER
Twice this year Mr. Kruger, Minister of Justice, Police and Prisons, has said that there will be no amnesty for prisoners. He has also rejected suggestions that Nelson Mandela would at some stage in the future be offered the chance of release to an independent Transkei. "He has been sentenced by a court of law to a life sentence," he said, "and he will have to serve his sentence to the full." There is no remission for political prisoners in South Africa.
