The short answer
You can contact the Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services or the ICCV complaint office at the prison.
The whole question
Dear Athalie
A foreign national who worked for me was arrested because he did not have his documents with him while driving. He was sentenced to three months in prison before he is to be deported back to his country of origin.
He told me that the prisoners sleep on the floor, aren't given their medication and only get four slices of bread to eat each day. Surely this is against their human rights?
The long answer
You are quite right: all the human rights in the Bill of Rights apply to prisoners as well. The Concourt has said that these rights include “the rights to dignity; life; freedom and security of the person; and to be detained in conditions that are consistent with human dignity, which include opportunities for exercise and the provision, at state expense, of adequate accommodation, nutrition, reading material and medical treatment.”
Fortunately, there is the Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services (JICS), which must inspect and monitor correctional centres in South Africa. JICS is the body that exercises oversight over the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
JICS operates five Management Regions, with regional office staff and Independent Correctional Centre Visitors (ICCVs) at correction centres. They address inmate complaints, identify human rights violations, and provide detailed reports, acting as a bridge between inmates and facilities. Members of the public can complain to them on behalf of prisoners.
The JICS regional offices must intervene where necessary. Unresolved and urgent complaints are referred to the Visitors' Committees and the Office of the Inspecting Judge. Members of the public can also contact the JICS Complaints Unit at 012 321 0303 or by email: complaints@jics.gov.za
Wishing you the best,
Athalie
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Answered on Nov. 18, 2025, 1:44 p.m.
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