An overview of South African prisons service decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.
Prisons Department.
1922-1968.
The Prisons Department was established in 1911. It was a civil service department, with uniformed warders. In 1955, the department adopted military ranks, and in 1959 its uniformed branch was named the South African Prisons Service.
The department had only one medal:
Until 1952, it was incorporated into the British honours system, as used in South Africa. Thereafter, it was part of the new South African honours system.
South African Prisons Service (1968-1980).
After South Africa became a republic (in 1961), the government established new decorations and medals for the various services. A series of three was instituted for the SA Prisons Service in 1968:
Department of Correctional Services (1980-1996).
A new, and more comprehensive, series of decorations and medals was instituted in 1980. The "SA Prisons Service" was renamed "Department of Correctional Services" in 1990.
Long service medal.
In 1996, the department discontinued its military ranks and culture, including its decorations and medals.