The correctional services department has denied claims by convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester about his treatment in prison.
Bester made the allegations on June 3 2024 in a pretrial conference at the Free State high court. Bester had asked to address the court after the withdrawal of his then-legal representatives. He claimed consultations with his legal team had to be conducted telephonically and this meant the conversations were recorded.
The department said the manner in which Bester had been treated was consistent with what was prescribed by the Correctional Services Act and the regulations. It said it was incorrect and fallacious for Bester to say he was being kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day and allowed only one hour of exercise.
“C-Max, at Kgoši Mampuru, is a high-security facility. It comprises only single cells. Hence, inmates do not share a cell. Therefore, the impression created by Thabo Bester that he is in a single cell as a form of solitary confinement is, with respect, disingenuous,” the department said.
It said Bester and other inmates in C-Max were afforded a reasonable opportunity to have telephone contact with and to be visited by their families when such visits were properly arranged with the centre.
Bester was asking for “in-person or physical legal consultations” of not less than seven hours on prior arrangements and to allow him to use a laptop/tablet or any suitable gadget.
He complained about a telephonic consultation with his legal representatives while separated by glass and said it was not meaningful. He suggested that he consult with his legal representative in a specific office in prison.
The department said the request was unreasonable.
Correctional services sets the record straight on Bester’s claims, demands
Consultation with lawyers from 9am to 4pm daily ‘is not reasonable’
The correctional services department has denied claims by convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester about his treatment in prison.
Bester made the allegations on June 3 2024 in a pretrial conference at the Free State high court. Bester had asked to address the court after the withdrawal of his then-legal representatives. He claimed consultations with his legal team had to be conducted telephonically and this meant the conversations were recorded.
The department said the manner in which Bester had been treated was consistent with what was prescribed by the Correctional Services Act and the regulations. It said it was incorrect and fallacious for Bester to say he was being kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day and allowed only one hour of exercise.
“C-Max, at Kgoši Mampuru, is a high-security facility. It comprises only single cells. Hence, inmates do not share a cell. Therefore, the impression created by Thabo Bester that he is in a single cell as a form of solitary confinement is, with respect, disingenuous,” the department said.
It said Bester and other inmates in C-Max were afforded a reasonable opportunity to have telephone contact with and to be visited by their families when such visits were properly arranged with the centre.
Bester was asking for “in-person or physical legal consultations” of not less than seven hours on prior arrangements and to allow him to use a laptop/tablet or any suitable gadget.
He complained about a telephonic consultation with his legal representatives while separated by glass and said it was not meaningful. He suggested that he consult with his legal representative in a specific office in prison.
The department said the request was unreasonable.
“Bester’s legal representatives can communicate with him during the consultation and take necessary notes.”
The department said a consultation with his legal representatives from 9am to 4pm daily was neither reasonable nor practical.
“Kgoši Mampuru houses hundreds of inmates who also need to use the consultation rooms.”
Regulations allowed for consultations daily from 8am until 3pm.
“Therefore, if Thabo Bester’s request is acceded to, it will mean that one of the consultation rooms will be occupied by him the whole day.”
The department said between October 12 2023 until July 16, Bester made hundreds of telephone calls to various lawyers.
During all these consultations and telephone calls, a correctional official was on site but not within hearing distance.
“Therefore the centre has allowed Bester a reasonable opportunity to access legal advice and representation.
Concerning Bester's request to have access to electronic gadgets and equipment, the department said this would pose a security risk and might enable him to orchestrate another escape.
It said the use of hand and leg cuffs on Bester was justified in law as he had escaped from prison before.
“Bester’s assertion that he is always handcuffed when being transported between the centre and court is false. During such transportation, only the legs are cuffed. The same applies when he is in the holding cells at court.”
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