The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in Somerset West celebrated annual Corrections Week from Monday 16 to Thursday 19 September.
The initiative highlighted DCS’s efforts to build safer communities in Helderberg through collaborations with community-safety organisations.
DCS Somerset West hosted various events, including a special monitoring action on Wednesday 18 September, visiting the residences of parolees and probationers in Strand alongside various stakeholders.
“The aim of this special action was to invite all security-cluster stakeholders to join forces for additional security and to adhere to the mandate of joint operations,” said head of Somerset West Correctional Services, Robin Maripan.
Furthermore, a roadblock was held on Thursday 19 September to trace and rearrest absconded parolees and probationers.
The operation was a joint initiative by Somerset West DCS, local police and traffic law-enforcement agencies.
The operation was succeeded by an awareness campaign at False Bay Primary School in Macassar, addressing bullying, peer pressure, substance abuse and gender-based violence.
According to Maripan, Corrections Week initiatives resulted in resounding success thanks to the joint partnerships. “Corrections is a societal responsibility, and all citizens play a role in shaping our values and norms,” he said.
Maripan emphasised the importance of continued collaboration among security stakeholders to achieve safer communities.
