“The way that a society treats its prisoners is one of the sharpest reflections of its character.  The full contribution which our prisons can make towards a permanent reduction in the country’s crime rate lies also in the way in which they treat prisoners. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of both professionalism and respect for human rights. We need a climate that is conducive to prisoners becoming law-abiding citizens. We will not find lasting solutions if we continue to treat our prisoners in the old way, denying them their dignity and their rights as humans.”

 

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela