Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has adopted an approach to corrections based on the principle of restoration. This restoration takes place between the offender and the victim, the community and their own family and within themselves. According to DCS, rehabilitation can not take place without restoration (The White Paper on Corrections in South Africa, 2005). For this reason the DCS has shown a concerted commitment to the promotion of restorative justice programmes as part of offender rehabilitation. The aim of the study is to assess the perception that juvenile offenders, who were in prison at the time of the study, have of restorative justice in prison. The findings obtained in this regard could be used to contribute to various aspects of restorative justice in prisons such as what offenders perceive to be indications of readiness to participate in such programmes; the perceived effect of restorative justice programmes on the offender; what facilitative mechanisms can be used, and the extent of the need to educate offenders with regard to restorative justice. The findings could be used to contribute to programme presentation and ultimately to the outcomes of restorative justice programmes in prison. Twenty three participants that were selected were juvenile offenders aged between 18 and 20. They were all serving sentences of more than 2 years, and had served at least 2/3 of their sentence and/or are about to be released. The offences of the participants included economic, violent, sexual and homicide crimes. The DVD titled Burning Bridges was used as a research stimulus and data was gathered by means of individual interviews and a focus group discussion. The data revealed that offenders need to be educated about the principles and practices of restorative justice programmes. The offenders’ ability to address the victim and the community needs to be assessed, as well as their ability to recall and talk about their crime. There should also be a focus on the offender’s general behaviour in prison, which includes their willingness to use the opportunities that they receive in prison. Knowledgeable personnel should be become more involved with the selection of suitable candidates, as they will be able to give a rich description of the offender that is being assessed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste (DKD) se benadering tot korreksies is gebasseer op restorasie. Hierdie restorasie vind plaas tussen die oortreder en die slagoffer, die gemeenskap, sy/haar eie familie en ook binne die oortreder self. Volgens die DKD kan rehabilitasie van die oortreder nie plaasvind indien restorasie nie plaasgevind het nie (The White Paper on Corrections in South Africa, 2005). Vir hierdie rede het die DKD `n verbintenis gemaak om regstellende geregtigheid programme deel te maak van die oortreder se rehabilitasie. Die doel van die studie is om vas te stel wat jeug oortreders se persepsie van regstellende geregtigheid in tronke is. Die bevindings wat op hierdie manier verkry word kan gebruik word om `n bydrae te lewer tot verskeie aspekte van restellende geregtigheid in tronke. Die data wat verkry word sal aandui wat jeug oortreders beskou as gereedheid om deel te neem aan sulke programme en watter voorsorgmaatreëls in plek gestel kan word om die doelwitte van die program te bereik. Die bevindings kan ook as aanduiding gebruik word of daar `n behoefte aan onderrig aangaande regstellende geregtigheid bestaan. Die studie kan dus gebruik word om by te dra tot die aanbieding van restellende geregtigheid programme, sowel as die uitkomste van die programmme in tronke. Die 23 deelnemers wat geselekteer was, was tussen die ouderdom van 18 en 20. Hulle was almal gevonnisde oortreders wat vir meer as 2 jaar gevonnis was, wat ten minste 2/3 van hul vonnis voltooi het en/of wat binnekort vrygelaat sou word. Die deelnemers was gevonnis vir ekonomiese misdade, geweldsmisdade, seksuele oortredings en moord. Die DVD ’Burning Bridges’ was as navorsing stimulus gebruik en data is gegenereer deur middel van individuele onderhoude en fokus-groep besprekings. Die data het aangetoon dat oortreder opgevoed moet word in verband met die beginsels en die toepassings van regstellende geregtigheid programme. Die oortreder se vermoë om met die slagoffer en die gemeenskap te praat moet geassesseer word, sowel as sy/haar vermoë om die misdaad te herroep en daaroor te praat. Daar moet ook gekyk word na die oortreder se algemene gedrag in die tronk. Dit sluit in sy/haar bereidwilligheid om die geleenthede wat in die tronk aangebied word te gebruik. Personeel wat die nodige kennis en ervaring het moet meer betrokke raak in die seleksie van geskikde kandidate, aangesien hulle instaat sal wees om `n indiepte beskrywing te gee van die oortreder wat geassesseer word.

Research involving correctional officer stress has increased over the past several decades due to the overall concern of the consequences of stress within the field. When comparing the body of research for police officers versus correctional officers, it is clear that there is abundance of research for the former than the latter. Further, advanced stress management programs have yet to be evaluated in a correctional setting, specifically the cognitive-behavioral interventions supplied in medical and athletic settings. The present investigation studied the effects of an adaptive cognitive-behavioral stress management for correctional officers during their academy training and its effect on self-reported stress levels pre-field training, 3-month and 6-month field training time. Officers were placed into two groups, one of which received the 1-hour CBSM program (focusing on cognitive restructuring, assertion and problem-solving training) and the other that received the standard protocol in academy training. The officers completed a series of self-reported measures including the Job Stress Survey, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding and an assessment to determine their knowledge retention of the skills presented in the program. Results indicated that those in the experimental group's self-reported job stress severity increased over six months, compared to the control group. It was suggested that participants tended to present themselves in an overly confident and inaccurate manner, which may have contributed to the subclinical scores on the scales. Additionally, the experimental group demonstrated decreases on several job stress measures, and increases in phobic anxiety and depression.

Though correctional leadership issues have been approached by some, few, if any, studies have focused exclusively on the directors of the state operated juvenile and adult correctional systems, and none have focused on the topics of vision, leadership, and rehabilitation with this group. A forty-two item mail questionnaire was used to collect data from the directors of state operated adult and juvenile correctional systems in the United States. Results from this study provided answers and insights to nine research questions: (1) What is the correctional policy model of choice for directors of state correctional systems? (2) What do directors of state correctional systems perceive as the major function of the correctional system? (3) What predictions do directors of state correctional systems have regarding the future of corrections in their states? (4) What do directors of state correctional systems perceive as the major issue in corrections? (5) Do the directors of state correctional systems believe that any treatment intervention "works" with offenders? (6) By what process are directors of state correctional systems selected for their positions? (7) What do directors of state correctional systems believe is the public opinion regarding knowledge of, and support for, the criminal justice system in their state? (8) Who do directors of state correctional systems perceive as being the most influential person(s) in their state concerning correctional issues? (9) What are the similarities and differences in perceptions and opinions of directors of state adult and juvenile correctional systems regarding correctional issues? In conclusion, the correctional management and correctional academic communities were asked to consider a list of fourteen specific recommendations for enhancing correctional leadership and research.

This thesis explores the structure and delivery of education programs to justice-involved adults in Canadian federal prisons and in the community. A series of semi-structured interviews as well as three volumes of the Journal for Prisoners on Prisons were analyzed using a qualitative approach to determine whether or not principles of adult education and components of performative space are present in current correctional education strategies. The findings suggest that while there are occurrences of both elements in the education that is provided to prisoners, the programs in the community are much more reflective of these adult learning standards. This project highlights the need for research into the area of adult correctional education, increased collaboration between the fields of criminology and education, and provides a framework from which future research can continue.

Occupational stress is considered to be a rising concern in many organisations in South Africa; it is, moreover, a pervasive problem in our communities in general. The consequences of high-stress environments are typically a, reduction in the quality and quantity of job performance, high levels of absenteeism, an increase in turnover, an increased number of grievances and increased frequency of accidents. Correctional Services has been reported to be the most challenging and frustrating component of the criminal justice system. Factors such as having a high level of responsibility, genuine threats to personal safety, rotating shifts, meager salaries and unpleasant surroundings, all add to the stress of Correctional Service Officials. The results of uncontrolled stress are costly to both the individual and the organisation. It is thus important for both the organisation and employees to learn or acquire ways of coping with stress. The empirical objective of this study was to investigate relationships between occupational stress and i l l health among employees of Correctional Services in the Vereeniging Management Area, in order to contribute towards an understanding of the interaction between these variables, and the implication thereof for the management of occupational stress and i l l health in the specific setting. A cross-sectional design was used to collect data and to attain the research objectives. The study population included the entire population consisting of (n= 197) employees of Correctional Services in the Vereeniging Management area. Management and production levels were fully represented. The Correctional Official Stress Inventory, General Health Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale were used as measuring instruments. The reliability and validity of all questionnaires were found to be acceptable. The findings revealed that increased levels of occupational stress lead to increased levels of exhaustion and this may in turn lead to increased experience of somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression. Higher levels of exhaustion and cynicism were associated with higher levels of somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression. The findings again revealed that an increase in the frequency of stress might lead to an increase in the experience of exhaustion, somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression. It was also found that stress could have some predictive value with regard to burnout, work engagement and health. It is recommended that more awareness need to be created about the symptoms and effects of occupational stress and burnout on individuals as well as organisations. This study was conducted in a small correctional institution, as a result the study population was too small, which made it difficult to generalise beyond the study population. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

All school systems throughout the country serve students referred to as at risk. Research documents that these students are at a greater risk of dropping out of school due to characteristics that contribute to school disengagement. By exploring the perspectives of male inmates aged 18-30 regarding their educational experiences, this study's data illuminated how school personnel and the schooling process may theoretically contribute to negative outcomes such as incarceration. The focus of the study was to identify commonalities and phenomena in relation to educational experiences, school engagement levels, deviant behavior, and school staff-student interactions as related to the at-risk student population. Interviews of a sample group of prisoners were utilized to gather rich data from their experiences. A qualitative/phenomenological research method was employed. This study introduced a revised and expanded term to replace the at-risk term when describing students who are at risk of school failure. This new term is COPE (Children Of Promise in Education). The acronym COPEr will be used when referring to the individual student who is at promise for academic success. COPErs will be used when referring to multiple students of promise for academic success. Six themes emerged from the data analysis. The six themes were as follows: characteristics of the respondents as k-12 students, student-staff interaction, engagement, disengagement, negative outcomes, and reflection and advice. An analysis of the themes is represented by quotes from the study's participants. This analysis allowed for the emergence of data that substantively contributes to the gap in the literature pertaining to a continued need for qualitative research examining the schooling experiences of at-risk youth, juvenile delinquents, high school dropouts, and, as in this study, inmates. Few studies have examined the perspectives of inmates regarding their schooling experiences. Most research regarding inmates has examined correctional education within the prison system. After the findings of the study are revealed, the implications of the study are presented. Implications for school staff and student development through communication and positive interaction are addressed. Suggestions for future research related to positive academic and social development of COPErs in the educational system are suggested.

The purpose of this study is to examine the correctional facilities in Örebro and Karlstad, and how they handle the demand for a religiously conditioned diet. Food and drink are perhaps the most central aspects of all people’s lives. Every single person must eat, regardless of health, age and social status. Our wellbeing revolves around food, drink, and the meal preparation. As a result of that the meal throughout history has been covered with various rites in many different cultures, from the saying of prayers to the collective preparation of the food. The meal is intimately connected to religion, both from an institutional perspective but perhaps above all from a purely practical layman's perspective. This report tries to answer how the correctional facilities in Örebro and Karlstad handle the demand for a religiously conditioned diet from three different perspectives. Firstly, from the point of view of the state agency, which is examined by studying the laws and regulations that controls the handling of food in relation to religion. Secondly, from the point of view of those who are preparing the meals who have been interviewed. Thirdly, from the point of view of the inmates who have had the opportunity to answer a survey. Based on the theory of lived religion the essay concludes that the Correctional Services do follow the laws that are set by the Swedish parliament. There is provision of diversified diets which take into consideration religious requirements to an extent that is possible. Additionally, the staff that prepares and handles the food take the religious requirements seriously. The study emphasised the importance of such requirements for inmates. The highest percentage of inmates requesting a religious based diet was between 20 to 25 percent with a diet free from pork.

Thesis. 1977. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Bibliography : leaves 479-486. / Ph.D.

Dual-diagnosed female offenders (DDFOs) present direct care providers with complex psychosocial needs and challenges that result in a serious lack of motivation to attain, sustain, and continue treatment after release from prison. Unsuccessful treatment of DDFOs represents a significant public health and safety risk including continuing criminal acts, increased health care costs, accidents related to substance abuse, and poor reintegration. Through in-depth semistructured interviews with direct care providers, this phenomenological study's focus was on examining the motivational facilitators associated with treatment adherence, barriers to treatment adherence, and approaches for enhancing treatment motivation. Nine major themes emerged from this research, including the importance of an empathetic approach and a strong therapeutic alliance as motivational facilitators; lack of insight and acceptance of the need for treatment, lack of resiliency, and the role of external system factors in barriers to treatment adherence; and using an empathetic approach, building rapport, instilling hope, and avoiding confrontation as approaches for enhancing treatment motivation. These findings may inform theory and practice related to the treatment of DDFOs in U.S. prisons. These findings contribute to social change by identifying outcomes related to treatment attendance, continuity of care, and completion and may help reduce recidivism associated with DDFOs, decrease costs of care, and lower public risks such as accidents related to substance use. The study provides reference points that may inform recommendations to state correctional departments regarding effective programming strategies for DDFOs.

Thesis (MPA) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / The study investigated the management of the social reintegration programme in the Department of Correctional Services in Mbombela Municipality, Mpumalanga Province. The role played by the stake holders in the programme and the department in rehabilitating and reintegrating the offenders. The purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme; social acceptance and the application of skills obtained in the correctional facility as a deterrent to committing a further crime. Section 50 of the Correctional Services Act, 1998 (Act No. 111 of 1998); provide the following mandates; the objectives of the study is amongst others to afford sentenced offenders an opportunity to serve their sentences in a non- custodial manner, to enable persons subject to the programme to lead a specially responsible and crime free life during the period of their sentence and in future, to enable offenders to be rehabilitated in a manner that best keeps them as integral part of society and to enable them to be fully reintegrated into society when they have completed their sentences. The investigation is both qualitative and quantitative whereby; it would be descriptive; analytical, interpretive and evaluative. The findings of this study have shown that the majority of offenders do not lead a crime free life after imprisonment. However, Correctional programmes rendered are designed to equip offenders with skills to lead a responsible life on reintegration and also the level at which other stake-holders are involving themselves in the reintegration of offenders in order to reduce reoffending. The recommendations suggest the following as research findings: • Offenders should be equipped with skills that can make them employable and self-sufficient in the outside world. • Offenders should also be monitored even after hours; there must be no specific time of monitoring. • More resources should be channelled to the programme. • Correctional Services should employ the aid of external service providers in order to equip offenders with skills in the community and reduces the chances of reoffending. • External stake-holders should continue rendering programmes to ex-offenders who exited the system.