After visiting twelve countries on the continent, two interrelated problems feature
prominently in most African prisons – overcrowding and large number of un-sentenced
prisoners. Efforts must now be shifted to determine the causes, manifestations and possible
solution to these phenomenons.
The Special Rapporteur’s visits to detention facilities across the continent seek to draw the
attention of prison officials to the numerous lapses in the criminal justice system in general
and the treatment of persons deprived on their liberty in particular, and to advance
appropriate measures for effective redress. South African detention facilities are relatively
good and most of them meet the minimum international standards. It is hoped that this
report and the recommendations that follow will go a long way to improving the conditions
of detention in South Africa and serve as an example to other African countries.
4
Special Rapporteur on Prisons
Mission to South Africa
14 – 30 June 2004