The Department of Correctional Services announced on Tuesday that order has been restored at the Boksburg correctional institution to the east of Johannesburg, where inmates caused chaos on Monday.
In a statement, the agency claimed, “During a search operation, a gang of disruptive offenders barred a sectional gate. This was in response to a mandated search operation conducted by the Department of Correctional Services’ national task force as part of its holiday season security operation.
“The Department of Correctional Services shall never hesitate to act with vigor to guarantee that the primary mission of corrections is never compromised.
The department will never jeopardize the safety and security of other convicts, authorities, community members, and service providers.
It stated that it has observed the illicit usage of cellphones and other contraband in its detention facilities and that these acts are cause for concern.
“Some of the photographs appearing on social media sites were created by prisoners making fun of the jail system. The government stated that there is a clear evidence that a few disobedient convicts who attempted to thwart the search knew they were hiding contraband in their [prison] cells.
“Those responsible will be identified and disciplinary action will be taken against them. We remain committed to provide a humane and secure environment for incarceration.
“However, we will never allow the subversion of the Correctional Services Act by disruptive inmates intent on continuing to terrorize communities and officials through criminal conduct, even when they are in lawful custody.”
»After disorderly convicts ran amok in the Boksburg jail, peace was restored«