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The National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO) is a South African non-profit organisation which began working with offenders in 1910. Operating in eight provinces, NICRO provides services designed to help adult and child offenders turn their lives around and become contributing members of society. Annually NICRO renders social services across the country to more than 50,000 people, who are predominantly historically disadvantaged, unemployed and lacking education.

NICRO has pioneered a range of critical criminal justice services in South Africa, including:
·         Restorative justice interventions
·         Diversion for children in conflict with the law
·         Diversion for adults
·         Alternatives to prison, such as non-custodial sentences
NICRO’s contribution to the development of the South African criminal justice system is evident from the 24 citations in case law, including at the Constitutional Court level.  In addition to rendering services, NICRO also engages in lobbying, advocacy and research.
NICRO has begun a series of publications entitled NICRO Public Education Series. These papers will be made available on the NICRO website at no cost.  The purpose of the NICRO Public Education Series is to:
·         Provide accessible material on the South African criminal justice system to the general public
·         Improve the public’s understanding  of the criminal justice system
Many of the publications focusing on the criminal justice sector are academic publications.  Many members of the public do not know where to access these publications and find them difficult to read.
The purpose of the first paper in the series is to provide an objective and accessible analysis of the prison statistics and trends in South Africa from 2008 till 2012. This paper intends to assist members of the public in improving their understanding of the state of South African prisons and be better informed of prevailing trends.
Please access the document here <http://www.nicro.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Public-Education-Paper-The-State-of-South-African-Prisons-2014.pdf> .