Westville Prison Kitchen to Reopen in 2027 After R12m Revamp

The Westville Medium A Prison kitchen has been closed for over a year after failing to meet compliance standards.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has been relying on neighbouring facilities to provide meals for inmates since then.

According to a statement, a multi-million rand refurbishment of the Westville Medium A Prison kitchen is expected to be completed in 2027, with the facility likely to reopen later in the year.

At the time, the DCS told the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services it needed R12 million to refurbish the kitchen, which includes replacing equipment, repairing the floor surface, tiling and painting.

Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, revealed in a parliamentary response that the region had reprioritised R550 000 for the Durban management area to facilitate critical refurbishment work, including the procurement of paint for the ceiling, epoxy coating, lighting and floor repair.

A further R2 million will be allocated later this year for the project to be completed.

Preliminary refurbishment work has been completed, which includes removal of rubble, the scrapping of walls surfaces and the scrapping of floor tiles. Painting has also commenced.

The reopening of the kitchen is anticipated in the third quarter of 2027/28, with funds amounting R2 million being allocated to the project in the third quarter of the current financial year 2026/27 to complete the outstanding structural work and the procurement of the necessary equipment.

In the meantime, lunch and supper is prepared at Westville Maximum Correctional Centre and transported to the prison using food trolleys.

Breakfast is prepared at Westville Medium Pre-Release Correctional Centre and similarly transported using food trolleys. The department continues to monitor food preparation and transportation processes to ensure compliance with applicable nutritional, health, and food safety standards,

“The reopening of the kitchen is anticipated in the third quarter of 2027/28, funds amounting R2 million will be allocated to the project in the third quarter of the current financial year 2026/27 to complete the outstanding structural work and the procurement of the necessary equipment,” Dr Pieter Groenewald explained.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has been working to revamp the South African prison system in recent years. The Westville prison is one of several facilities that has been closed due to non-compliance issues.

The DCS has faced criticism in the past for the living conditions and treatment of inmates in South African prisons. The revamp of the Westville prison kitchen is a step towards improving conditions for inmates.

With the refurbishment work underway, the reopening of the kitchen is expected to be a significant step forward for the DCS and the inmates at Westville prison.