Convicts have a free hand

THE Constitution is a fine instrument that guarantees the rights of every citizen. But it has also been used as an instrument to circumvent and delay justice.

Two female warders at Krugersdorp Prison had excrement thrown at them by prisoners. Some of the waste went into their mouths. They are traumatised and fear returning to their posts.

The prisoners who did this have not been penalised since management allegedly does not want to bring them to book. Management does not view this as a serious infringement.

There are experts who say that prison does not rehabilitate prisoners. Instead they become hardened as they hone their antisocial skills for their next foray once they are released from prison.

Criminals do not fear incarceration because they know their so-called rights. Their rights are sacrosanct while they blithely ignore the rights of other citizens.

They no longer fear the death penalty because it has been wiped off the books. Prison is a soft serve for people who do not respect others and who feel that they are entitled to break the laws and values of society at will.

President Jacob Zuma once remarked that prisoners seem to have too many rights compared with ordinary citizens.

It is time that the screws were tightened and these criminals taught to mend their ways.

It would be a pity to wake up one day and discover that there is no one willing to man the prisons and keep this scum away from society.

Infractions have to be punished.