News in a minute | Offenders to be bailed with taxpayer money [video]

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To ease overcrowding in South African prisons, taxpayer money will fund bail for detainees who cannot afford the cost themselves. The limit has been set at R1 000, and the aim is to relieve rampantly overcrowded prisons, reports The Citizen.

The Judicial Inspectorate for the Department of Correctional Services is tasked with overseeing prison conditions in South Africa. And it says more than 2 613 detainees are unable to pay the minimum bail amount of R1 000. And even more detainees struggle to afford slightly higher bail amounts. Hence the initiative that taxpayer money will fund bail for minor offenders.

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TAXPAYER MONEY WILL FUND BAIL

Retired Justice Edwin Cameron is head of the inspectorate, and it is his recommendation that taxpayer money will fund bail within the R1 000 threshold. Bail amounts vary, but factors influencing the figure are determined by the police officer.

These include the seriousness of the offense, the likelihood of the accused re-offending, and if/she is considered a flight risk. Petty theft, common assault, or possession of a minimal amount of drugs is considered a minor offence. As a result, bail is often not on the table for serious crimes like rape, murder, hijacking and armed robbery.