Bars of Suffocation: A Critical Review of the Covid-19 Pandemic and its Effect on Correctional Facilities in South Africa

The study’s objective was to give a critical analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic, while also assessing the influence of Covid-19 on correctional facilities in South Africa. The correctional society was not immune to the detrimental impacts of COVID-19, and its arrival forced all South African correctional facilities to take several measures, including limitations on correctional facility visitation and the early release of some offenders. Therefore, the study ought to review the impact measures devised to address this global scourge. A literature review analysis was adopted by the authors. The study critically analysed existing papers, which included; government documents/reports and scholarly papers. Thus, a qualitative content analysis was adopted for the data analysis. The study discovered that the measures that were implemented in correctional centres to address the spread of COVID-19 resulted in some incarcerated persons being released while not fully rehabilitated. The release of some of the inmates was based on the urge to reduce the overpopulation within the correctional centres. The study also discovered that the South African Correctional facilities had challenges with physical social distancing due to overcrowding. The study recommends that the administration and functions of prisons be objectively measured by the number of stakeholders and the gradation of specialist bodies to maximise the culture of efficient governance that is human rights oriented. This study adds to the existing literature on ensuring the safety of inmates of correctional facilities in South Africa. Keywords: COVID-19, Correctional Facilities, Prisoner, Incarcerated Person, South Africa