MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / Correctional Service inmate rehabilitation and rising issues of recidivism have been of interest within the Justice System with the mind to improve and ensure not only functionality but the effectiveness of every effort put toward rehabilitating inmates. Individuals are not convicted with the intention of closing them off from society completely, but to have their abnormal behavior corrected (this speaks to effective rehabilitation programmes and successful re-entry). Inevitably, this makes the parole period pivotal for assessing these programmes and why rehabilitation is not directly resulting in successful re-entry since parolees are more at risk to reoffend, making up the rising margin of recidivism of over 70% in South Africa. It then becomes significant to look into whether rehabilitative programmes are effective according to individuals who have practically been on the receiving end. This study investigated the lived experiences that recidivist parolees had of rehabilitation by taking a closer look at their lived experiences. This was qualitatively realized by employing to the study: interpretive phenomenological design. From a population of recidivist parolees residing in Vhembe District, after agreeing to participate in the study, a sample of 10 participants was interviewed (in accordance to data saturation) which were attained through the snowball sampling technique. From this sample, data was collected through the use of semi-structured open-ended interviews and analyzed through interpretive phenomenological analysis. This process yielded the following results. Generally, participants felt that rehabilitation programmes are not effective and play a very small role in influencing change. This is a similar case with re-entry into society. In light of this, participants reported that they have difficulty fitting into society as normal members because of social stigma, chronic trauma, not getting enough support after release and not being eligible for employment. Participants also reported irregular administration and accessibility of the programmes for all inmates. In light of these results, rehabilitation should be compulsory for all inmates and should also include post arrest programmes. / NRF

MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / Recidivism refers to re-offending behaviour, and recidivists are usually individuals who were arrested repeatedly for the same or different offences. The aim of this study was to explore the psychological effects of recidivism amongst male youth in Musina. This study employed the qualitative research approach because it required elaborated information which this paradigm promotes. This research adopted an exploratory design. The participants were selected through the use of purposive and snowball sampling. Data was gathered using semi-structured face to face interviews. The researcher used a voice recorder and a note pad to record the collected data. The findings of this study indicated that peer pressure, lack of education and unemployment, substance abuse, poverty, child neglect, parenting and supervision were the most common factors contributing to recidivism. The results of this study indicated that recidivists often commit petty crimes. The participants stated that these crimes included pick-pocketing, mugging, shoplifting and house breaking. Serious crimes were not common amongst the recidivists because only few of them committed serious crimes. The participants also reported that recidivism has negative impacts on their own personal lives, their families as well as on their education.

Throughout the world, the need to protect children’s rights has proliferated through international conventions and national laws, therefore, parents add immense value as participants in diversion programmes. The dearth of research studies on parents as participants in diversion programmes is documented internationally and in South Africa. This is an exploratory-descriptive- contextual and phenomenological study that is steeped in qualitative research approach. The study was guided by Risk-Need Responsivity Model for offender assessment and rehabilitation (Bonta & Wormith, 2010). Data collection was done through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Snow-ball and purposive sampling were used. Prior to actual data collection, pilot testing was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the data collection tool. Data was analysed through thematic content in accordance with Creswell’s (2014:196) six steps of data analysis and verified according to Lincoln and Guba’s model of 1994 and Yin’s 2018 model. In order to ensure adherence to ethical prescripts, the following were applied throughout the study; informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity, beneficence, management of information and debriefing. The key finding is that parents are not involved in the diversion prorammes. This study will close literature gap whilst it recommends development of policy guidelines for parental involvement in diversion. / Social Work / M.A.(Social Work)

MA (Youth in Development) / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / This research was conducted in the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre within the Female/Juvenile place found in the Thulamela Municipality in the Vhembe District. It is approximately 200km to the north of Limpopo Provincial capital of Polokwane. It focuses on finding out factors that influence offenders to re-offend again, investigate recidivism among youth offenders and identify some of the problems relating to recidivism. The research consisted of juvenile offenders incarcerated in the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre within the juvenile area. Both groups of sentenced male and female juveniles participated in the study. The research used non-probability sampling. Purposive sampling was used to gather information within the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre. The research used interviews and focus group interviews as methods of collecting data. The interviews were conducted using English and Tshivenda then the responses were translated from Tshivenda to English. The researcher interviewed young offenders who have offended and re-offended. The researcher used grounded theory as a method to analyse data. This method helped the researcher to generate theory from the data collected