Cellphones, Cash, and Contraband
By Nkosana Khumalo
In a decisive move to enhance security during the festive season, National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, conducted an unannounced search at the New Prison in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on the night of 22 December 2024. This operation is part of a broader initiative aimed at minimising crime and ensuring safety within South African correctional facilities.
Discovery of Contraband
The surprise raid yielded significant findings, including cellphones, cash, and improvised devices used to transport contraband between cells. These discoveries underscore the persistent challenge of smuggling prohibited items into correctional centres, which can undermine the safety and security of both inmates and staff.
Sources of Contraband
Commissioner Thobakgale identified multiple avenues through which contraband infiltrates prisons:
• Court Appearances: Inmates attending court sessions, particularly those with pending charges, have opportunities to interact with the public, facilitating the smuggling of prohibited items into facilities.
• Internal Complicity: Some correctional officers are implicated in introducing contraband, betraying their duty to maintain institutional security.
• Family Visits: Weekend visitations by family members present another risk, as individuals may attempt to bring forbidden items to inmates.
Consequences for Offenders
Inmates found in possession of contraband face serious repercussions. They are charged and subjected to thorough interviews to identify accomplices. If staff members are involved, they undergo disciplinary procedures. Offenders caught with illegal items are reclassified as high-risk and transferred to facilities with stricter security measures, appropriate to their behaviour.
Challenges in Maintaining Security
The Department of Correctional Services oversees over 160,000 inmates nationwide, with a workforce of fewer than 30,000 members. This disparity poses challenges in monitoring and controlling contraband. Offenders often employ ingenious methods to conceal and transport prohibited items, complicating detection efforts.
Technological Interventions
To bolster security, the department is investing in technological solutions, such as body scanners. However, the high cost—exceeding R6 million per scanner—limits widespread deployment. The department strives to balance available resources with technological enhancements to maintain safe correctional environments.
Ongoing Operations
Commissioner Thobakgale indicated that, based on intelligence received, additional unannounced searches will be conducted in other facilities within the region and across the country during the festive season. These proactive measures aim to deter contraband smuggling and reinforce safety protocols.
Broader Context
The issue of contraband in South African prisons has reached alarming levels. Recent reports reveal that in the past 12 months, authorities have confiscated nearly 934 kilograms of drugs, over 41,000 cellphones, 11,000 weapons, more than 250 litres of alcohol, and R200,000 in cash from correctional centres nationwide. 
These figures highlight the systemic challenges faced by the Department of Correctional Services in curbing the influx of illegal items into prisons. The involvement of some correctional officers in smuggling activities further complicates efforts to maintain order and security within these facilities.
Call for Comprehensive Measures
Experts and policymakers are calling for comprehensive strategies to address the contraband crisis in South African prisons. Recommendations include:
• Enhanced Surveillance: Implementing advanced monitoring technologies to detect and prevent smuggling activities.
• Staff Training and Vetting: Improving the recruitment process and providing ongoing training to ensure staff adhere to ethical standards.
• Stricter Penalties: Enforcing harsher consequences for individuals, including staff, found guilty of smuggling contraband.
• Public Awareness: Educating the public, especially visitors, about the dangers and legal implications of introducing contraband into correctional facilities.
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