Thousands of prisoners freed

On 16th December 2019, the South African government marked the Day of Reconciliation, established by Nelson Mandela in 1995 to foster national unity, by announcing that a fifth of offenders would have their sentences reduced. The presidential remission programme aims to ensure that

“the criminal justice system does not criminalise poverty, most of the people whose sentences will be remitted are individuals who could not afford to pay a fine and bail”.

This programme will see some low risk prisoners (who have not committed serious violent and sexual crimes) released on parole, starting with women, children, the elderly and inmates with disabilities. Similar remissions were previously granted in 2005 and 2012.

Goal50 recognises that poverty is often a serious contributor to crimes of a less serious nature and will continue to provide shelter and food for those who struggle. The charity’s food programmes, job creation schemes and donations of staple foods to the Ark drug rehabilitation centre, will touch the lives of people who fall under the poverty line. There is a determination to support families of prisoners, and to beat re-offending.

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