Introduction
The study of crime in South Africa can be approached from many angles because of the
widespread influence of crime on different aspects of society and everyday life. It can be argued
that the South African government has made only infrequent mention of the crime problem and
often it seems to underplay its severity, more so shifting the blame to the media for over-
dramatizing the crime situation. As a result, many of the structural and administrative matters of
the Criminal Justice System-in, overcrowding in South African correctional facilities-is left
unattended and dormantly unresolved. Consequently, overcrowding in South Africa’s penal
system is causation to the large-scale gross violation of basic human rights affecting a significant
proportion of the correctional center population.
Scholars such as Bernault (2003), argue that the clear majority of South Africans are informed
and thoroughly cognizant of the fact that most correctional centers in the country are grossly
overcrowded and have been in this condition for many years. They too acknowledge that the
gross overcrowding results in a wide scale violation of human rights for the inmates incarcerated.
Therefore, in lieu with the above-mentioned discourse, this paper intends to explore the
consequences of overcrowding, to the correctional facilities relative to the South African
Criminal Justice System. By discussing the consequences this paper will analyze several
consequences, that are caused by overcrowding and critique significant findings, arguing as to
why such consequences are relevant and to the Criminal Justice System, its causations, effects
and impact.
Thereafter the possible alternatives or solutions to this phenomenon will be expressed. The
format of this argument will be as follows: The writer shall identify an array of consequences of
overcrowding respectively, thereafter contextualize as to why they are significant and relevant to
the petitionary system. Accordingly, possible alternatives or responsive measures will be
discussed. In conclusion, the best measures and a means of approach will be expressed. By doing
so, the purpose of this paper-of which is to discuss the consequences of overcrowding-will be
achieved and argued coherently throughout. It is the writer’s intention that a greater
comprehension of the subject matter is realized as well.
, Array of Consequences
Correctional center overcrowding is not simply a phenomenon which characterizes the
petitionary system of post-Apartheid South Africa. Indeed many centers in Africa were
chronically overcrowded when they were built, and continue to be so today. Furthermore, as a
result if racially restrictive legislation and policy, penal systems were constantly chronically
overcrowded(Bernault,2003). Therefore, it was no surprise that the period following South
Africa’s third democratic election in 2004 did not witness a significant reduction in
overcrowding that plagues the correction system even after the first decade of the country’s
democracy.
Consequences that arise a result of overcrowding are multivariant in nature. They affect not only
the offender incarcerated but their relations with others as well as influences on the environment
and relative proximity. Such significant consequences include: Contamination; The infectious
spread of dread diseases; Abuse; and finally, a lack of human dignity through the inadequacy of
appropriate treatment facilities.
Significance of the Consequences Present within the Correctional Centers
1) Contamination
Scholarly argument as those purported by Heywood (1996), suggest that the assertion that
contamination (as a consequence) is a prolonged conditioning due to the deprivations and
frustrations induced by a correctional facility life. When correctional centers are overcrowded
with short-term offenders there is a danger or recidivism arising from their contact with and
‘contamination’ by professional criminals and the correctional environment. A further
consequence is that offenders are housed in the company of other criminals and are therefore
exposed to further anti-social norms.
Achmat (1996), purports that different categories of offenders are housed together due to the lack
of space, especially in South Africa. This means that classification and segregation became
impossible. Contamination of first-time offenders and non-violent offenders interact with violent
and hardened inmates as this cannot be avoided having adverse effects on
The study of crime in South Africa can be approached from many angles because of the
widespread influence of crime on different aspects of society and everyday life. It can be argued
that the South African government has made only infrequent mention of the crime problem and
often it seems to underplay its severity, more so shifting the blame to the media for over-
dramatizing the crime situation. As a result, many of the structural and administrative matters of
the Criminal Justice System-in, overcrowding in South African correctional facilities-is left
unattended and dormantly unresolved. Consequently, overcrowding in South Africa’s penal
system is causation to the large-scale gross violation of basic human rights affecting a significant
proportion of the correctional center population.
Scholars such as Bernault (2003), argue that the clear majority of South Africans are informed
and thoroughly cognizant of the fact that most correctional centers in the country are grossly
overcrowded and have been in this condition for many years. They too acknowledge that the
gross overcrowding results in a wide scale violation of human rights for the inmates incarcerated.
Therefore, in lieu with the above-mentioned discourse, this paper intends to explore the
consequences of overcrowding, to the correctional facilities relative to the South African
Criminal Justice System. By discussing the consequences this paper will analyze several
consequences, that are caused by overcrowding and critique significant findings, arguing as to
why such consequences are relevant and to the Criminal Justice System, its causations, effects
and impact.
Thereafter the possible alternatives or solutions to this phenomenon will be expressed. The
format of this argument will be as follows: The writer shall identify an array of consequences of
overcrowding respectively, thereafter contextualize as to why they are significant and relevant to
the petitionary system. Accordingly, possible alternatives or responsive measures will be
discussed. In conclusion, the best measures and a means of approach will be expressed. By doing
so, the purpose of this paper-of which is to discuss the consequences of overcrowding-will be
achieved and argued coherently throughout. It is the writer’s intention that a greater
comprehension of the subject matter is realized as well.
, Array of Consequences
Correctional center overcrowding is not simply a phenomenon which characterizes the
petitionary system of post-Apartheid South Africa. Indeed many centers in Africa were
chronically overcrowded when they were built, and continue to be so today. Furthermore, as a
result if racially restrictive legislation and policy, penal systems were constantly chronically
overcrowded(Bernault,2003). Therefore, it was no surprise that the period following South
Africa’s third democratic election in 2004 did not witness a significant reduction in
overcrowding that plagues the correction system even after the first decade of the country’s
democracy.
Consequences that arise a result of overcrowding are multivariant in nature. They affect not only
the offender incarcerated but their relations with others as well as influences on the environment
and relative proximity. Such significant consequences include: Contamination; The infectious
spread of dread diseases; Abuse; and finally, a lack of human dignity through the inadequacy of
appropriate treatment facilities.
Significance of the Consequences Present within the Correctional Centers
1) Contamination
Scholarly argument as those purported by Heywood (1996), suggest that the assertion that
contamination (as a consequence) is a prolonged conditioning due to the deprivations and
frustrations induced by a correctional facility life. When correctional centers are overcrowded
with short-term offenders there is a danger or recidivism arising from their contact with and
‘contamination’ by professional criminals and the correctional environment. A further
consequence is that offenders are housed in the company of other criminals and are therefore
exposed to further anti-social norms.
Achmat (1996), purports that different categories of offenders are housed together due to the lack
of space, especially in South Africa. This means that classification and segregation became
impossible. Contamination of first-time offenders and non-violent offenders interact with violent
and hardened inmates as this cannot be avoided having adverse effects on
