Correctional Services Act, 1998 (Act No. 111 of 1998)Chapter III : Custody of all Inmates under Conditions of Human DignityPart A : General requirements6. Admission |
| 1) |
| a) | A person may not be committed to a correctional centre without a valid warrant for his or her detention. |
| b) | Despite the wording of the warrant relating to the place of detention but subject to the provisions of this Act, such warrant authorises the National Commissioner to detain the person concerned at any correctional centre. |
| 2) | At every correctional centre there must be a register in which the following must be recorded: |
| a) | information concerning the identity of the inmate; |
| b) | the reason for the committal and the authority therefor; and |
| c) | the day and hour of admission and release. |
| 3) | On admission, an inmate must be informed promptly of his or her right to- |
| a) | choose and consult with a legal practitioner; or |
| b) | have a legal practitioner assigned by the State, at state expense, if substantial injustice would otherwise result. |
| 4) |
| a) | On admission an inmate must be provided with written information in a language which he or she understands about the rules governing the treatment of the inmates in his or her category, the disciplinary requirements, the authorised channels of communication for complaints and requests and all such other matters as are necessary to enable him or her to understand his or her rights and obligations. |
| b) | If an inmate is illiterate, a correctional official must explain this written information to the inmate, if necessary through an interpreter. |
| c) | The inmate must confirm that he or she has understood the information so conveyed. |
| 5) | As soon as possible after admission, every inmate must- |
| a) | Bath or shower; and |
| b) | undergo a health status examination, which must include testing for contagious and communicable diseases as defined in the Health Act, 1977 (Act No. 63 of 1977), if in the opinion of the correctional medical practitioner it is necessary to protect or maintain the health of the inmates or other persons. |
| 6) | On admission the National Commissioner must make a preliminary security classification of the inmate. |