Detention reform programme sets staffing, education plans for new Point Blanche prison

The Ministry of Justice's Detention Sector Reform Programme has developed prison policies and expanded education, health and rehabilitation activities at Point Blanche Prison and Miss Lalie Centre, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The programme runs from 2025 to 2029 and is intended to prepare the correctional system for a new Point Blanche prison.

UNODC said a Prison Operations Manual has been developed and validated. Five policies and three standard operating procedures have been cleared, while one policy and five procedures are under review. A function book sets out 141 established positions, equal to 188 full-time equivalents, across 46 job descriptions for the planned 196-bed facility.

UNODC said a recruitment campaign received 111 applications and recommended 22 candidates for correctional officer positions. Sixteen officers have received basic training in security and dynamic security practices. The programme plans to onboard initial recruits in 2026 and hold another recruitment campaign in 2027.

Non-formal education activities, including photography, creative writing, reading and book clubs, involved 31 incarcerated people at the two facilities, UNODC said. Six prison newsletters produced by incarcerated people have been published. An education and skills census covered 71 incarcerated people, representing 80% of the incarcerated population.

A sports pilot launched in July 2026 involved 43 incarcerated people in football, basketball and fitness, according to UNODC. A health assessment screened 57 people at Point Blanche Prison, 14 at Miss Lalie Centre and 17 prison staff. UNODC said a Prison Transition Team and transition plan have been established for the move to the new facility.