
Prison Journalism: Can gangsterism and violence be reduced in prison?Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.
by Dean Mashimbwe
18-04-2024 11:00
in Prison Journalism
Prison
Image via Unsplash
During my time in Pollsmoor, I witnessed a lot of gangsterism activities and gang violence. As an eyewitness, I observed that gangsterism is more active among non-sentenced inmates than sentenced inmates. Gangsterism in prison creates an image of power and respect but also causes violence among inmates. Most people affected by the effects of gang activities are non-gang members.
--
Challenges in Combating Gangsterism Gangsterism was going to be stopped, but the biggest problem in South African jails is overcrowding. Gangsterism activities are the order of the day since prisoners have nothing to do. Another main cause of not stopping gangsterism is the poor supervision of inmates. For instance, when I went to Pollsmoor, I saw that gangs are offered a room alone where they practice gangsterism day and night. By doing so, they tend to recruit other inmates who are non-gang members, and the routine continues like that.
The Impact of Overcrowding on Violence Overcrowding in prison cells also causes violence. By doing so, inmates end up forming gangs to stabilize violence, since these gangs have leaders who will control the cell to impose discipline within inmates. The main cause of prisons being overcrowded is waiting for trial inmates, which leads to tension, hostility, and violence. In Pollsmoor, the most aggressive gang members are found in the maximum security prison.
The Role of Society in Sustaining Gangsterism Lack of reintegration into society also causes gangsterism. You find that some inmates already come to prison while they are gangsters. In South Africa, gangs are practised in neighbourhoods like Manenberg and Hanover Park. These are dangerous places which cause gangsterism. Also, the routine of going in and out of jail of an inmate, they tend to go back to the same society unchanged in lifestyle and social circle upon release. This promotes gangsterism as inmates already know how to penetrate gangsterism in order to survive when they go back to prison.
--
Efforts to Reduce Gangsterism Although gang culture is the main activity in South African jails, the Correctional Services have made a lot of efforts to reduce gangsterism in prison. Anti-gang programs are being done in prisons to reduce gangsterism. When we were at Pollsmoor, former inmates and former gang members used to come to prison via these programs to encourage and motivate inmates not to join gangsterism.
Also, some of the efforts made were to keep inmates busy during the day so that they get occupied. Inmates were offered jobs; some went to school and did courses. Also, church services were held. All these were efforts offered by the prison facilities to discourage gangsterism in jail. However, regardless of all these efforts, gangsterism in South Africa will never end because it is a prison culture that is passed from generation to generation.
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.
If you have any questions you would like to ask our prison journalists, WhatsApp us on 060 011 0211.
Do you have contact with a prison inmate who would like to write for The South African website? If so, send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
You can also follow @TheSAnews on Twitter and The South African on Facebook to get the latest prison journalism articles.
Wil jy geld spaar op jou versekeringspremies? Kliek hier vir 10 top wenke!
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
18/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/04/2026
New York, NY, April 17, 2026 -- TAG Video Systems has announced an integration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) Elemental MediaConnect Router. The integration bri...
18/04/2026
Pro Sound Effects (PSE), the leading provider of professionally recorded sound effects for film, television, advertising, and technology today announced the lau...
18/04/2026
Fincons Group, a multinational IT business consulting and system integrator firm, announced today that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Media & Enterta...
18/04/2026
Adobe extends leadership in video: unleashing new AI-powered creation in Firefly...
17/04/2026
The World Fencing League (WFL) has announced DAZN as its primary global streamin...
17/04/2026
ARRI Releases ALEXA 35 SUP 6.0 and LPS-1 SUP 1.3 Software Updates
ARRI has announced software updates for its ALEXA 35 Live camera and Live Production System L...
17/04/2026
Sennheiser has announced Spectera Studio, an offline system planner for its Spec...
17/04/2026
Deltatre and the German Football Association (DFB) have announced DFB.TV+, a DFB-owned direct-to-consumer streaming service developed and operated by Deltatre. ...
17/04/2026
Global sports marketing agency IMG has announced new senior leadership roles, designed to strengthen how it supports rightsholders and partners in the midst of ...
17/04/2026
NAGRAVISION and Harmonic have announced a watermarking-as-a-service solution for...
17/04/2026
NETGEAR and EVS Broadcast Equipment have announced a global technology partnersh...
17/04/2026
America's broadcasters are launching the NEXTGEN TV Converter Box Program, a new initiative designed to provide millions of American viewers with a low-cost...
17/04/2026
Quantum Corp. will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth N1726), presenting what it ca...
17/04/2026
Leadership and Staff Announce '20/20 Vision' Playbook...
17/04/2026
TNT Sports has announced a multi-year agreement for U.S. media rights to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Three events will air on truTV - the 24 Hou...
17/04/2026
Scripps Sports has announced a multi-year broadcast partnership with PBR (Profes...
17/04/2026
Adder Technology, a specialist in connectivity solutions and high performance IP KVM, today announced the latest release of AIM, its IP KVM matrix management so...
17/04/2026
Victory , a free sports streaming platform from A Parent Media Co. Inc. (APMC), has announced a multi-year content distribution partnership with the Dallas Cowb...
17/04/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level have one major thing in common: the intensity and attention to detail ramps up dur...
17/04/2026
Quickplay has announced the full-scale deployment of Gray Media's streaming ...
17/04/2026
Clear-Com has introduced the FreeSpeak Cell cellular-based wireless intercom system that uses LTE and 5G infrastructure to support large-scale production commun...
17/04/2026
The 2026 NAB Show kicks off Saturday, April 18, with the show floor and exhibits opening April 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show features more ...
17/04/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent rating news and is derived from press rel...
17/04/2026
Versatile ribbon mic kit revealed
The latest arrival to the AEA line-up brings together three contrasting models from their Nuvo range, delivering a versati...
17/04/2026
Revealed following sold-out MPG Awards ceremony
Following another sold-out MPG Awards ceremony at The Troxy in London, the MPG have released a full list of ...
17/04/2026
L3Harris towed array systems provide U.S. Navy submarines with extended acoustic...
17/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/04/2026
Cobalt Digital and SineSix Media Partner to Transform Accessibility Compliance into a More Engaging Viewer Experience at NAB Show 2026
Collaboration integrates...
17/04/2026
Strengthening Appear's North America team with a new Vice President of Business Development
Appear ASA (Appear, OSE: APR), a global leader in live producti...
17/04/2026
New framework helps broadcasters, streaming platforms, and sports organizations apply AI to live video for monetization, metadata, highlights, and downstream wo...
17/04/2026
New whitepaper gives broadcasters and OTT operators independent, codec-by-codec evidence that the VisualOn Optimizer transforms viewer quality of experience.
V...
17/04/2026
Blackmagic Design Announces New Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive 100G
Brie Clayton April 17, 2026
0 Comments
World's first immersive cinema camera f...
17/04/2026
NAB 2026: Vubiquity and Eluvio Showcase Streaming Solution that Significantly Re...
17/04/2026
What Makes a Good Marathon Running Playlist? We asked Xander Dawson, an eighth-semester saxophone major at Boston Conservatory running the Boston Marathon thi...
17/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/04/2026
At NAB Show 2026, PTZOptics (Booth N1902) will showcase a live sports streaming demo created in collaboration with Moondream, offering a new look at how Visual ...
17/04/2026
The Eindhoven University of Technology is a research university in the Netherlands spanning 25 buildings, specialising in engineering, science and technology. D...
17/04/2026
Documentary Editor - US, Remote
Brie Clayton April 17, 2026
0 Comments
Documentary Editor
April 13, 2026Freelance Video Cameraman - Los......