THE FUSE

(The Post News)– The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) deployed more than 20 prison officials to the St Albans Correctional Centre on Thursday morning in an unannounced raid. The operation at the maximum-security facility is being led by National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale.

The raid began with vehicles entering the centre, followed by a thorough search of the prison officials on duty.

Speaking with eNCA this morning, Thobakgale said that St Albans is one of the correctional centres identified as a high-risk area within the entire correctional system.

“After searching the vehicles entering the centre and the officials, we walked around the prison to check the dumping sites, because that is where contraband is brought in – that is how it enters correctional facilities. We also know that issues arise from the kitchen, as offenders working there have free movement between the units and interact with other inmates,” he said.

Four months ago, Thobakgale visited the St Albans Correctional Centre, during which concerns were raised about organised crimes occurring in nearby communities. It was reported that inmates were involved by communicating with criminals outside the prison using illegally held cell phones.

This is the second raid at the maximum-security facility this year, following an unannounced operation at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre on 5 April 2025. During this raid, prison officials confiscated contraband which includes drugs, cash, cell phones, routers, digital accessories and sharp objects, amongst others.

In late March 2026, concerns about inmates possessing cellphones in prisons were raised following a telephonic interview conducted by eNCA with inmate Jermaine Prim. The interview, which was reportedly approved by a prison official, involved an inmate housed at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre.

History of Raid at St Albans Correctional Centre

The St Albans Correctional Centre has long struggled with contraband, with previous raids uncovering hundreds of cellphones, drugs, and sharp objects. The facility has also experienced significant violence, including incidents in which officials were stabbed. In September 2019, a scuffle resulted in the death of an inmate and the stabbing of a prison official.