Prison Journalism: Inmate pre-release and release processes

Prison Journalism: Inmate pre-release and release processesDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.

by Dean Mashimbwe

28-03-2024 08:50

in Prison Journalism

Prison

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Before the inmates are being released, necessary paperwork is being done, which includes verifying inmate identity. Inmates are being released either when they complete their sentence, bail, or parole. Other approvals are being done by the Prison authorities and preparing transport for inmates. I went to jail on 3 different occasions in my life; I was released twice when I finished my sentence and once on Parole. Being released on parole takes quite some time as there is a lot of paperwork. Before you get released, you first see the parole board, after everything is done, they call you and tell you that your address has been verified, and they give you the date of your release.

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Parole vs. Sentence Completion It's very different when you are being released on Parole and when you finish your sentence because when you are released on Parole, you are still under the supervision of the parole board, but when you finish, you are completely free. When you are released on Parole, it means you have to be under the conditions you are being given by the parole board. Failure to comply with the condition, your chances of going back to jail are high. You are reporting to the parole officer regularly, and you must not commit any parole violations because that's breaking the Parole rules. When you are released on parole, the parole officer takes you home where you stay, but when you finish your sentence, the prison provides you with a bus or train ticket and they drop you by the train station that is if you don't have anyone to pick you up.

Bail and Conditional Release Unlike Parole, you can go to the court and the judge gives you a certain sentence and tell you that it's either you pay a certain amount of money or stay a certain period in Prison. If you have someone to pay bail for you, you can be released from the court immediately, but if you don't have someone to pay for you you can go to jail and be locked up but still, you can get bailed from the jail and go home. The more days you stay, the amount of money you were supposed to pay as bail is also decreasing. Before inmates are being released, especially on parole, inmates are being encouraged to do certain programs such as restorative justice, reintegration, and other Pre- and post-release programs.

Special Considerations for Release A medical Parole is also another type of release. This is being granted to inmates diagnosed with diseases such as cancer and other deadly diseases. It is given to an inmate when he has a medical letter from the practitioner who is treating the inmate. There are other examples of release such as probation, but this one is given to inmates whose sentence was suspended. Probation can also be the release of an inmate from detention because of good behaviour or character, but you will be also under supervision.

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DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

Should you wish to assist in the rehabilitation of former inmates and help put money into the pockets of those who have struggled to earn a living during and after incarceration, click HERE

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

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