i) Prison Population At the time of the visit in June 2004, South Africa had a total prison population of 187,903 in 238 prisons. Of the 238 prisons, 4 had been temporarily closed for renovation and repairs, 29 were not populated beyond their approved capacity, 67 had overcrowded cells of between 101% and 149%, 53 had overcrowded cells between 150% and 174% and 85 had overcrowded cells of between 175% and 370%. Regionally, Gauteng has the highest percentage of overcrowded prisons. Out of the 26 prisons in the Region, 22 are overcrowded and 14 of these are overcrowded by more than 175%. The Region has an average of 190.61% overcrowding. The least overcrowded Region is the Northern Cape and Free State Region. Of the 47 prisons in this region, only 9 are overcrowded by more than 175%. It has an average overcrowding rate of 146.06%. The least crowded prison in the country is Vryheld Correctional Centre with an approved capacity of 748 but as at June 2004 had only 189 inmates, 2 un-sentenced and 187 sentenced giving an occupancy rate of 25.27%. The most crowded prison however, is the Umtata Medium Correctional Centre in the Eastern Cape Region which has an approved prisoner capacity of 580 but as at June 2004 held 2,146 inmates, 974 un-sentenced and 1,172 sentenced making it 370% overcrowded. Overcrowding can be attributed to many factors including the large number of detainees on awaiting trial. Even though there has been a considerable decline in the number of prisoners awaiting trial from about 64,000 in April 2000 to 53,880 in June 2004, the number still remains high. There are 134,023 sentenced prisoners representing 71% of the prison population. During the same period, 53,880 inmates are un-sentenced, representing 29% of the prison population. At least 25 prisons hold more un-sentenced prisoners than sentenced prisoners. The table below shows a list of some of the prisons with more un-sentenced than sentenced prisoners: Correctional Centre East London Med. B King Williams Town Johannesburg Med. A Pretoria Local Durban Medium A Durban Medium C Epangeni Estcourt Thohoyandu Med. B Sasolburg Vereneging Capacity 543 Unsentenced 1,076 301 Sentenced Total 19 1,095 % occupation 201.66 539 322 861 286.05 2,630 7,376 155 7,531 286.35 2,171 2,308 3,983 3,272 887 57 4,870 3,329 224.32 144.24 671 1,822 440 2,262 337.11 216 203 219 476 286 454 32 158 25 508 444 479 235.19 218.72 218.87 309 786 204 1,162 49 410 253 1,572 81.88 200.00 37 Special Rapporteur on Prisons Mission to South Africa 14 – 30 June 2004