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SOUTH AFRICA - THE IMPRISONED SOCIETY

NCJ Number
38636
Author(s)
A COOK
Date Published
1974
Length
80 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON THE USE OF THE PRISON SYSTEM IN SOUTH AFRICA AS AN INSTRUMENT OF APARTHEID POLICY, PARTICULARLY AS IT IS USED AGAINST POLITICAL PRISONERS WHO HAVE ACTIVELY OPPOSED THE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE REPORT ASSERTS THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF PRISON IS A DAILY REALITY FOR SOUTH AFRICA'S BLACK MAJORITY. ONE IN EVERY FOUR ADULTS IS IMPRISONED EVERY YEAR, MOST OF THEM FOR OFFENSES WHICH ARE UNKOWN IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND WHICH DERIVE DIRECTLY FROM APARTHEID LEGISLATION. FOR EXAMPLE, THE 'PASS LAWS' (REFERRING TO THE PASSES BLACKS ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY) ACCOUNT FOR 42 PERCENT OF SHORT-TERM IMPRISONMENTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)