“The problem is in a highly unequal society such as, there’s no justice or consequences for the rich. The poor go to prison, but the rich often evade prison. Only the wealthy and powerful escape prison. Look at Schabir Shaik, who was seen playing golf in Durban while out on medical parole, and the same with Zuma,” he said.
“Maybe we should focus on areas like that and channel money into alleviating poverty and unemployment,” he said. “I’ve met offenders who returned to prison for the same offence after being released. Some return because in prison, they have a roof over their heads and food to eat, which was better than having nothing,” he added.
Criminologist Prof Jaco Barkhuizen said there has never been a proper restorative justice programme to reintegrate offenders into their communities and restore the imbalance between the offender, the community and the victims.