On appointment, all IPVs attend a compulsory three-day training workshop during which they are taught about the powers, functions and duties of IPVs. This training also provides for a basic introduction to the law and regulations governing prisons and the rights of prisoners in South Africa. This induction training is followed up by an on-going process of in-service training provided mainly by Regional Coordinators during the quarterly performance audits of all IPVs. IPVs are paid R38.65 per hour and work, depending on the size of the prison, between 14 and 67 hours per month. The Structure of the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons appears in Annex III of the present report. ii) South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) The South African Human Rights Commission is one of several institutions enshrined in the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa to support democracy. It was established in October 1995. The composition, functions and powers of the Commission are outlined in the Human Rights Commission Act No. 154 of 1994. In terms of Article 184 of the Human Rights Commission Act, the Commission shall….promote respect for human rights and a culture of human rights, promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights and monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the country. The SAHRC has extensive powers which include the power to investigate and report on the observance of human rights, take steps to secure redress where human rights have been violated. During its nine years of existence, the SAHRC has received several complaints from prisoners ranging from assaults, racism, corruption, maltreatment and other deplorable conditions of detention. The SAHRC has had several meetings with authorities of the Department of Correctional Services to discuss some of the complaints. In 1997 the Commission undertook a nation wide visit to inspect prisons across the country. The inspections covered all aspects of the prison system including the infrastructure, prison population, overcrowding, educational and skills development, juvenile, women, persons awaiting trial, gangs, personnel management, etc. The SAHRC made a number of pertinent recommendations on how to improve the conditions in prisons. (See Report of the National Prisons Project of the South African Human Rights Commission – 29 August 1998) The establishment of the JIOP in 1998 reduced the SAHRC’s focus on prisons and most complaints received by the latter are referred to the JIOP. However, cases that border on human rights generally are still handled by the SAHRC. The SAHRC has also visited the Lindela Repatriation Centre and undertakes regular visits to the Centre. It partners with other civil society organizations to monitor the situation at Lindela. Together with the NGO - Lawyers for Human Rights, the SAHRC plans to open an office in Lindela with a full time officer to work with the authorities. Although there have been fewer visits to police stations, the SAHRC still receives complaints against the Police. 32 Special Rapporteur on Prisons Mission to South Africa 14 – 30 June 2004