Correctional Services Act, 1998 (Act No. 111 of 1998)Chapter XIII : General Powers of Enforcement102. Use of force |
| 1) | In addition to the use of force authorised in terms of any other provision of this or any other Act, which include mechanical restraints, non-lethal incapacitating devices, firearms and other weapons, any correctional official is authorised to use force against any person who assists an escapee or who disrupts or threatens to disrupt the operation of a correctional centre or the enforcement of the conditions of community corrections. |
| 2) | The use of force is authorised to achieve the objectives in subsection (1) subject to the following restrictions: |
| a) | That no other means are available and that the minimum degree of force proportionate to the said objectives is used; and |
| b) | force may be used only when authorised by the Head of the Correctional Centre or the Head of Community Corrections unless a correctional official reasonably believes that the use of force is immediately necessary and that the Head of the Correctional Centre or the Head of Community Corrections would have permitted the use of force. |
| 3) | In the case of the use of force without prior recourse the correctional official must report such action as soon as reasonably possible to the Head of the Correctional Centre or the Head of Community Corrections. |