In 1994 the South African government eliminated corporal and capital punishment. South African prisons are clean, decent and humane-and well run. Staff are knowledgeable and professional. Prisoners are generally well groomed and polite. We encountered no situations where prisoners were rude or disrespectful.
Prisoners take pride in ensuring that their living quarters are spotless.
In one youthful offender institution, the youths not only made their beds, but they configured their blankets and sheets into geometric designs such as large seashells. The Correctional Service places a heavy emphasis on vocational training. Most prisons have bricklaying schools. Since hardwood is a scarce commodity, brickwork is the building substance of choice in South Africa. In fact, the Ohio Prison Industries has already replicated one of their innovative classroom table designs.