Department of Correctional Services (South Africa)

It is responsible for running South Africa's prison system.

The department has about 34,000 staff and is responsible for the administration of 240 prisons, which accommodates about 189,748 inmates.

The prisons include minimum, medium and maximum security facilities.

The agency is headquartered in the West Block of the Poyntons Building in Pretoria.

[2] The political head of the department is the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, who is supported by a Deputy Minister of Correctional Services.