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South Africa Inmate Search & Prison Directory

Browse correctional facilities and prisons in South Africa. Find addresses, phone numbers, and official contacts for 5 facilities in this directory, plus emergency guidance for US citizens and families of detainees.

5Total Facilities
0Federal
0State / Provincial
0County / Local

About South Africa's Correctional System

South Africa's correctional system is managed by the Department of Correctional Services. For inmate searches, use the official contacts listed below or contact the facility directly using the phone numbers on this page. Where available, the facility listings below include addresses, inmate capacity, and descriptive information.

For US citizens detained in South Africa, contact US Embassy South Africa at +27 12 431 4000 immediately, or call the US State Department Citizens Emergency Center at 1-888-407-4747 from the US.

Key South Africa Prison Contacts

Agency / ContactLocationPhoneWebsite
Department of Correctional Services South Africa +27-12-307-2000 Visit Site
US Embassy South Africa South Africa +27 12 431 4000 Visit Site
US State Dept Emergency (from US) Washington DC 1-888-407-4747 Visit Site
Showing 5 facilities in South Africa
Facility Closed
📍Tokai Road, Cape Town, 7945
📞021/700-2000
👤7,700 Capacity
Cape Town's major prison. Nelson Mandela was held at Pollsmoor from 1982 to 1988 before moving to Victor Verster. Severely overcrowded. Houses sentenced and remand prisoners.
Facility Closed
📍De Beer Road, Durban, 3629
📞031/253-5500
👤4,500 Capacity
KwaZulu-Natal's main prison. Houses sentenced and remand prisoners. Severely overcrowded.
📍Hospital Street, Johannesburg, 2000
📞011/832-8000
👤10,000 Capacity
South Africa's largest and most overcrowded prison. Located near the Johannesburg CBD. Known as Sun City. Houses remand and sentenced prisoners. Severely overcrowded. Former inmates include Nelson Mandela briefly after various arrests.
📍Franschhoek Pass Road, Paarl, 7620
📞021/863-3400
👤2,500 Capacity
The prison from which Nelson Mandela walked free on 11 February 1990. Located near Paarl in the Western Cape wine country. Renamed Drakenstein Correctional Centre. Houses sentenced male prisoners.
📍Potgieter Street, Pretoria, 2
📞012/314-1911
👤3,500 Capacity
South Africa's maximum-security prison. Houses the country's most dangerous offenders. Death row was held here under apartheid. Clive Derby-Lewis and Janusz Walu? (Chris Hani assassins) were held here.

South Africa Prison FAQ

Browse the facility listings on this page to find the specific institution, then contact them directly using the phone number listed. For US citizens detained in South Africa, contact US Embassy South Africa at +27 12 431 4000 immediately.
Contact US Embassy South Africa at +27 12 431 4000 immediately, or call the US State Department Citizens Emergency Center at 1-888-407-4747 from the US. Consular officers can visit detained Americans, provide lists of local attorneys, and notify family members.
Visitation rules vary significantly by facility and security level in South Africa. You will typically need to be on an approved visitor list, present valid government-issued photo ID, and comply with the facility's dress code. Contact the specific facility directly using the phone number listed on this page to confirm current visitation hours and requirements.
Contact Law Society of South Africa for referrals to qualified criminal defense attorneys in South Africa. The US Embassy can also provide a list of local attorneys. You can also find a criminal lawyer through our directory.
Each South Africa facility has its own approved methods for receiving inmate funds. Contact the facility directly using the phone numbers listed on this page for current accepted payment methods, deposit limits, and procedures.

About JailGuide.com

Since 2011, JailGuide.com has been the world's most comprehensive free resource for locating inmates and navigating the prison system. Our database covers over 11,000 facilities across the United States and more than 100 countries worldwide. We are a privately operated website, not affiliated with any government agency.

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