Prison Journalism: A glimpse into South African prisonsDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice programme.
by David van Nek
03-05-2024 09:45
in Prison Journalism
Prison yard
Image via Unsplash
Warning: This article features content which readers may find disturbing
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Today, let's dive into the harsh realities of life in South African prisons, where the daily life is a fight for survival.
Voorberg prison: a unique setting At Voorberg, I worked in the kitchen first and then in the office block. Similarly, at Pollsmoor, I was assigned to the office block. At Voorberg, there were these guys, the Big Five. They worked for the wardens, informing them about everything under the sun. The prison has many sections, from A to H. The guys working outside with sheep and cows are considered the good guys in their kamps.' The groups are divided by time: Sun-go includes the 26, 27, and 28, while Sun-down refers to others.
The notorious big five You must know that the Big Five are always in trouble because, in the Western Cape, there aren't any actual Big Fives; these are guys who come from other provinces. My first encounter with them was in Kimberley, where only a few existed and they were not welcomed. They get stabbed left, right, and centre because they inform the wardens about everything. Jail is not your mother's house; there's always a plan to hurt informers. Despite the danger, they are hasty. I was staying in A-section when, one late night, we heard a guy screaming for the 27's, claiming they wanted to kill him. Luckily for him, the warden wasn't sitting on his ears; he couldn't enter the cell alone and had to call the captain, who stays in the prison yard and holds the master key.
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A night of terror The captain had to make a backup call; he is the only one who can summon the response team, who are always dressed in black. When they arrive, they don't take it lightly. They will beat you severely. By the time the response team arrived, the guy was already dead, lying on his back in a pool of blood. That night, 20 guys were in the cell, all crying like babies. The next morning, 19 were taken to the hospital. Two weeks later, the guys were back and on their way to Kokstad.
Kokstad: a different kind of prison In Kokstad, there are no wardens, only G4S security personnel. Upon arrival, inmates attend court and get sentenced for attempted murder. In Kokstad, there's no Big Five, only groups 26, 27, 28, and the tough 3's. New arrivals must always be wary because the inmates will want to know who you are and from which kamp' you hail. Lies can lead to trouble, even from those working in the kitchen, where food poisoning is a risk.
A harsh reality Jimmy was a Big Five from North-West. His death in prison is just one of many tragic stories. At Voorberg, where only high-risk inmates are housed, the crimes range from rape to murder. Inmates with shorter sentences are sent to nearby prisons. Castro used to say that exercise time is brief, and many turn to reading the Bible, with some becoming pastors, often referred to as the money lovers among the inmates.
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Prison Journalism: A glimpse into South African prisonsDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice programme.
