Wits Justice Project

A third of SA’s inmate population is made up of remand detainees. Statistics say that a majority of remand detainees cannot afford their bail. Is it constitutional to deprive someone of their liberty only because of his/her financial shortcomings in a country like SA -further depriving the accused of any economic opportunities until their trial ends?

Early childhood trauma, poverty and a lack of economic opportunity increase the chances of children’s participation in crime. Read the story of Sizwe* and the organisations that help child offenders get their lives back.

https://bit.ly/34XVXw9

YOUTH IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

As commences in the middle of , it is imperative that we highlight children in prison.

As of 2018, of 1267 children were reported to be in prison:
- 862 of the children were detained awaiting trial
- 405 children serving sentences (DoJ,2018)

What are the causes that lead children into prison in SA?
Are children that spend time in prison able to reintegrate into society and make better choices?
What is being done to prevent children from going to prison?

Follow our page as we explore this under-reported issue.

How do we end the cycle of violence to help prevent the abuse and murder of children?

“According to official figures, around 1,000 children are murdered every year in South Africa, nearly three a day. But that statistic, horrific as it is, may be an undercount.” (APNews, 2020)
Read more here: https://bit.ly/3uDarf4