The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services will undertake an oversight mission to prisons in the Eastern Cape next week, as part of reinforcing its oversight role.

The visit follows similar ones taken to the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in recent months.

In the Eastern Cape, the committee will check on security arrangements and cases of disciplinary action following the escape at the Middledrift correctional center and the one foiled at St. Albans correctional center last month.

"We want to ensure that there is high-level staff discipline and stringent security arrangements as part of the broader long-term strategy to prevent escapes," said committee chairperson Denis Bloem.

Correctional services officials foiled an escape at St Albans correctional centre last month, after a tip off. Two accomplices were subsequently arrested.

The attempted escape followed that of two life-serving offenders from Middledrift Maximum Correctional Centre. The two had been convicted of murder, armed robbery and possession of illegal firearms, among others.

However, Phakamisa Myoli and Thanduxolo Jayiya were subsequently transferred to the Kokstad C Max Prison following their re-arrest.

In addition, three officials identified through the video footage of the centre's CCTV security system were immediately suspended.

According to spokesperson Luphumzo Kebeni a disciplinary hearing against the three was held and the department was awaiting the outcome.

If found guilty, the officials face dismissal.

The committee will also try to gain insight into prisoner rehabilitation programmes and overcrowding.

Mr Bloem said the committee would also have izimbizo with staff and management to reflect on labour relations in correctional centres following recent agreements between the department and labour unions to normalise labour relations in prisons.

"The main objective of the visit is to gain insight into the challenges faced by the Department of Correctional Services so that we can assist in creating conducive conditions for effective and efficient delivery of correctional services," said Mr Bloem.

The committee also wants to gather first hand information on rehabilitation programmes implemented for juvenile and female offenders and their success rate in terms of social re-integration.

"Ultimately, we would want to find alternative solution to ease overcrowding in correctional centres and this is a multi-departmental issue that we will vigorously pursue," said Mr Bloem.

The mission will commence at the East London correctional centre on Tuesday, and on Wednesday proceed to the King William's Town and Middledrift correctional centres.

The final visit takes place on Thursday and Friday, at St. Albans.