Pictures of prisoners in South Africa getting cosy with scantily clad women surfaced recently on Facebook. A Facebook user posted the picture, stating that this was actually the Johannesburg Medium-B prison. The prison, also known as Sun City, seemed to have hosted women dressed in lingerie, with the aim of entertaining the prisoners. Many pictures saw the prisoners getting cosy with the women, a look of elation on their faces.
However, once the pictures surfaced online, the Department of Correctional Services launched an immediate investigation. The authenticity of the pictures needed to be confirmed. Investigations showed that this event had really taken place.
Acting National Correctional Services Commissioner James Smalberger stated, in a news briefing, that it was never the intention to have strippers in the facility. He further went on to call it unacceptable and stated that this would not be tolerated. He also wanted to assure citizens that no taxpayer money was involved in this entertainment.
Thirteen officials are facing suspension, if it is found that they had disregarded department rules in allowing the prisoners to be ‘entertained’ in this way.
Spokesman of the Gauteng correctional services told TimesLive that the dancers were actually brought into the prison to rehabilitate the prisoners. It was meant to be a Youth Month initiative. However, the dancers shocked prison officials when they arrived in their lingerie. The strip show of sorts was not expected.
Citizens of South Africa are outraged that men, who are supposed to be undergoing incarceration as punishment for crimes committed, are afforded such entertainment. People have found this to be a very unfair occurrence, and a very important question arose- Will the prospect of prison still serve as a crime deterrent? Is it possible that potential criminals, who have been suppressing their impulses out of fear of prison, will garner more courage to commit crimes? It is a scary prospect.
GUYS!! Kante tronko is nice like this??? Only this missing is #FreshBreakfast on their radio! pic.twitter.com/PPZxft53VV
— DJ Fresh (Big Dawg) (@DJFreshSA) June 26, 2017
