The introduction of minimum sentencing in South Africa by 'The Criminal Law Amendment Act 105' of 1997 came up for appeal in April 2005. In light of this Jessica Pitchford investigates debates surrounding the prospect, as well as the impact of the 1997 amendment. She reveals that the minimum sentence, created in response to a belief that crime was getting out of hand, has failed to effectively control crime, and has instead served to fill prisons unable to rehabilitate their inmates.