BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA – THE SPECTRE OF CRIME AND PRISON OVERCROWDING IN POSTAPARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Chronic overcrowding has plagued the South African penal system since the advent of democracy in 1994. This has resulted in the large-scale gross violation of the basic human rights of large numbers of prisoners. After examining certain historical examples of overcrowding in the prisons of Africa generally, the article focuses on the history of chronic overcrowding in the prisons of South Africa during the post-apartheid period. The hard choices facing the South African people and government in relation to this issue are then examined.