The Department of Correctional Services is the South African Government Department that is responsible for the smooth running of the South African correctional system. Correctional facilities have to be staffed twenty four hours a day and therefore correctional officials have to work fixed or rotating shifts to ensure that the needs of offenders are taken care of. The number of staff members in many South African correctional centres is not sufficient to ensure proper care and management of offenders, but staff shortages during the night is even more chronic compared to staff shortages experienced during the day. It is vital that correctional officials be alert and vigilant at all times and therefore these staff shortages contribute to high levels of stress, lack of motivation and feelings of being overwhelmed by the work load. Shift work is a phenomenon that is increasing worldwide. It is important to understand the impact of work schedules as more people seem to be working shifts that do not conform to the standard work week. Shift workers seem very healthy when their illnesses are compared to that of the general public. Many health problems have been detected in shift workers, including stress related conditions, as any work schedule can act as a stressor if the needs of the individual worker are not taken into consideration. Sleeping patterns during the day differ from sleeping patterns at night. Shift work disrupts a person’s circadian rhythms and therefore contributes to poorer physical and psychological health. It further causes poorer productivity and increases the possibility of becoming involved in accidents. Working night duty is very stressful to the night shift worker who has to cope with challenges at work and at home. There is a variety of common stressors at work that affect shift workers physiologically (cardiovascular, stroke, digestive problems, back pain and arthritis, headaches, increased blood pressure and hormonal), psychologically (burnout, depression, anxiety, family problems, sleep problems and job dissatisfaction) and behaviouraly (absence, tardiness, substance abuse, accidents, sabotage / violence, poor decision making, poor job performance and a high personnel turnover). This study focused on understanding the positive and negative impact of working permanent night duty on correctional officials. The findings of this study will be helpful to correctional officials who work permanent night duty in addressing employee workplace support. / Dissertation (MSW (Health Care))--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lk2014 / Social Work and Criminology / MSW (Health Care) / Unrestricted

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / This research project was undertaken to establish what influence the lack of discipline amongst prisoners and members of Correctional Services has on the rehabilitation of offenders. A complete literature study was done to investigate the current lack of discipline amongst prisoners and members. Discipline is also brought into relationship with community based sentences such as Correctional Supervision as well as the involvement of the community in the release of prisoners. Positive rehabilitation can lead to crime prevention but the Department of Correctional Services and the community will have to take hands to reach this common goal. This subject needs further research in order to make recommendations to promote rehabilitation of off enders and to uplift the standard of discipline within the Department of Correctional Services. / Hierdie ondersoek is onderneem om die invloed van gevangenes en personeeldissipline binne die Departement Korrektiewe Dienste in verband te bring met die invloed wat dit het op die rehabilitasie van oortreders. 'n Volledige literatuurstudie is gedoen om die huidige tendens van swak dissipline onder gevangenes sowel as lede te ondersoek. Die dissipline word ook in verband gebring met gemeenskapgebaseerde vonnisse soos byvoorbeeld Korrektiewe toesig sowel as die betrokkenheid van die gemeenskap by die vrylating van oortreders. Positiewe rehabilitasie kan lei tot misdaadvoorkoming, maar dan sal die Departement Korrektiewe Dienste en die gemeenskap moet hande vat om hierdie gemeenskaplike doel te bereik. Verdere navorsing in die verband word beoog om sodoende werkbare aanbevelings te kan doen ten opsigte van beter dissipline onder gevangenes en personeel van die Departement Korrektiewe Dienste. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

The study focuses on an overview of the performance management and the development system in the Department of Correctional Services with special focus on Limpopo province, Mpumalanga province and Northwest province (which is referred to as Limpopo region in this research). The main research question was "what does the current performance management development system in the Department of Correctional Services in the Limpopo region look like?" The relevant literature was consulted and in order to gain a clear view and understanding of performance management in general. The overview focuses on the general concept of performance management so as to understand it, its origin, purpose, benefits, advantages and disadvantages. The second part focuses on the performance management system in the general Public Service. This was done in order to establish whether there is any alignment between general performance management and what is being implemented in the Public Service. It was established that there is no difference between the general concept of performance management and what is being implemented in the Public Service in general. The main focus is on the policy used in the Public Service. The last part deals with the research question and focuses on the Department of Correctional Services in particular in the previously demarcated region. The Performance Management and Development System Policy was used to determine if there is any alignment between the general performance management, performance management in the Public Service and what is being implemented in the Department of Correctional Services. The findings show that there is no difference between the Performance Management and Development System being applied in the different areas. Several minor challenges were picked up, based on the findings of the internal audit on performance management, and relevant recommendations are provided. In general, based on the findings and percentage of compliance, the research shows that the Performance Management and Development System is being effectively implemented in the Limpopo region of the Department of Correctional Services. / Public Administration & Management / M. Tech. (Public Administration and Management)

The study focuses on an overview of the performance management and the development system in the Department of Correctional Services with special focus on Limpopo province, Mpumalanga province and Northwest province (which is referred to as Limpopo region in this research). The main research question was "what does the current performance management development system in the Department of Correctional Services in the Limpopo region look like?" The relevant literature was consulted and in order to gain a clear view and understanding of performance management in general. The overview focuses on the general concept of performance management so as to understand it, its origin, purpose, benefits, advantages and disadvantages. The second part focuses on the performance management system in the general Public Service. This was done in order to establish whether there is any alignment between general performance management and what is being implemented in the Public Service. It was established that there is no difference between the general concept of performance management and what is being implemented in the Public Service in general. The main focus is on the policy used in the Public Service. The last part deals with the research question and focuses on the Department of Correctional Services in particular in the previously demarcated region. The Performance Management and Development System Policy was used to determine if there is any alignment between the general performance management, performance management in the Public Service and what is being implemented in the Department of Correctional Services. The findings show that there is no difference between the Performance Management and Development System being applied in the different areas. Several minor challenges were picked up, based on the findings of the internal audit on performance management, and relevant recommendations are provided. In general, based on the findings and percentage of compliance, the research shows that the Performance Management and Development System is being effectively implemented in the Limpopo region of the Department of Correctional Services. / Public Administration and Management / M. Tech. (Public Administration and Management)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / This research project was undertaken to establish what influence the lack of discipline amongst prisoners and members of Correctional Services has on the rehabilitation of offenders. A complete literature study was done to investigate the current lack of discipline amongst prisoners and members. Discipline is also brought into relationship with community based sentences such as Correctional Supervision as well as the involvement of the community in the release of prisoners. Positive rehabilitation can lead to crime prevention but the Department of Correctional Services and the community will have to take hands to reach this common goal. This subject needs further research in order to make recommendations to promote rehabilitation of off enders and to uplift the standard of discipline within the Department of Correctional Services. / Hierdie ondersoek is onderneem om die invloed van gevangenes en personeeldissipline binne die Departement Korrektiewe Dienste in verband te bring met die invloed wat dit het op die rehabilitasie van oortreders. 'n Volledige literatuurstudie is gedoen om die huidige tendens van swak dissipline onder gevangenes sowel as lede te ondersoek. Die dissipline word ook in verband gebring met gemeenskapgebaseerde vonnisse soos byvoorbeeld Korrektiewe toesig sowel as die betrokkenheid van die gemeenskap by die vrylating van oortreders. Positiewe rehabilitasie kan lei tot misdaadvoorkoming, maar dan sal die Departement Korrektiewe Dienste en die gemeenskap moet hande vat om hierdie gemeenskaplike doel te bereik. Verdere navorsing in die verband word beoog om sodoende werkbare aanbevelings te kan doen ten opsigte van beter dissipline onder gevangenes en personeel van die Departement Korrektiewe Dienste. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the Unit Management into the South African Correctional Centres of Excellence. The focal point is based on the case management, multi-disciplinary approach, monitoring, and human rights of offenders. Unit Management was adopted into South African correctional system in 1995 under the leadership of the former Minister of Correctional Services Dr Sipho Mzimela. Unit Management was firstly practiced at Goodwood Correctional Centre of Excellence in the Western Cape. The concept of Unit Management was viewed as a strategic change by the Department in ensuring the core business of the Department and the rehabilitation of offenders. In an effort to examine the application of Unit Management into the Correctional Centres of Excellence and how Unit Management influences the rehabilitation of sentenced offenders, a study was conducted to acquire knowledge and perspective from the available literature. In ensuring good and proper work, the researcher employed a qualitative methodology. The researcher collected data by means of structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using SPSS system for statistical reasons. Frequency tables were used to simplify the analysis per section and category. The findings from this study revealed that there is no monitoring of Unit Management taking place into the Correctional Centres of Excellence from management, there is no management involvement. It also revealed that the human rights of offenders are not respected during the implementation of Unit Management. The findings revealed that multi-disciplinary approach is dysfunctional owing to lack of professional staff. The findings also indicate that efforts to implement Unit Management into the Correctional Centres of Excellence are a failure owing to the abovementioned factors. / Corrections Management / M.A. (Penology)

This thesis aimed to describe the epidemiology of HCV in South Australian prisons - prevalence, transmission and risk factors. This thesis also aimed to determine the impact of incarceration on reported risk behaviours. A related objective was to evaluate the epidemiological effectiveness of the ELISA - 3 HCV antibody test using PCR as the gold standard. Finally, this thesis aimed to explore the potential for minimising HCV risk in the South Australian prison population. Methods: Two case note audits were conducted at each of eight publicly operated SA prisons ( in summer and winter ) to identify any documented HCV - antibody test results. Prisoners recruited at entry to prison were offered tests for HCV - antibody and completed a pre - entry risk factor survey. Participants completed additional risk factor surveys and ( if HCV - negative at last test ) underwent further antibody tests at three - monthly intervals for up to 15 months. A sample of participants also provided blood specimens for HCV - RNA testing. Limited stakeholder consultations with prison officers and nurses were also conducted. Quantitative data were analysed using univariate and multivariate techniques. Results: 1347 case notes were audited in summer, and 1347 in winter and an overall HCV prevalence of 42 % was estimated. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, HCV prevalence was significantly higher in female prisoners ( 65 % ), those aged above 28 years ( 48 % ), and in Indigenous prisoners originating from metropolitan areas ( 56 % ). Indigenous prisoners originating from remote areas had significantly lower HCV prevalence ( 20 % ). 666 prisoners were recruited at entry, and 42 % were estimated to be HCV - antibody positive. Three seroconversions were noted in 151 initially HCV - seronegative negative individuals followed up for a median time of 121 days - a rate 4.6 per 100 person years - but community exposure could not be ruled out. Overall agreement between HCV - antibody and HCV - RNA assays was 86 % ( 100% in the HCV negative samples ) - kappa = 0.71. Injecting history was highly prevalent in prison entrants ( 70 % ) and both community and prison injecting ( but not tattooing ) were independent predictors of entry HCV status. Prison history was also independently associated with entry HCV status. Injecting in prison during the study was infrequently reported, but significantly more likely in those testing HCV - antibody positive at prison entry ( risk ratio = 2.48, P = 0.046 ). Stakeholders were most supportive of strategies to increase education and to minimise risks associated with hair clippers, but did not support most other suggested preventive strategies. Other issues related to communicable diseases and infection control were explored in the stakeholder interviews. Conclusions: HCV prevalence in South Australian prisoners is extremely high and may have contributed to a ' ceiling effect ' , minimising the seroconversion rate observed in this population. Injecting is relatively infrequently reported in prison, but more likely in those already infected with HCV. Thus, contaminated injecting equipment represents a significant threat to other prisoners and prison staff. Strategies aimed at reducing HCV risk in prisons, which address the concerns of those expected to implement them, are proposed in this thesis. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2006.

This thesis aimed to describe the epidemiology of HCV in South Australian prisons - prevalence, transmission and risk factors. This thesis also aimed to determine the impact of incarceration on reported risk behaviours. A related objective was to evaluate the epidemiological effectiveness of the ELISA - 3 HCV antibody test using PCR as the gold standard. Finally, this thesis aimed to explore the potential for minimising HCV risk in the South Australian prison population. Methods: Two case note audits were conducted at each of eight publicly operated SA prisons ( in summer and winter ) to identify any documented HCV - antibody test results. Prisoners recruited at entry to prison were offered tests for HCV - antibody and completed a pre - entry risk factor survey. Participants completed additional risk factor surveys and ( if HCV - negative at last test ) underwent further antibody tests at three - monthly intervals for up to 15 months. A sample of participants also provided blood specimens for HCV - RNA testing. Limited stakeholder consultations with prison officers and nurses were also conducted. Quantitative data were analysed using univariate and multivariate techniques. Results: 1347 case notes were audited in summer, and 1347 in winter and an overall HCV prevalence of 42 % was estimated. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, HCV prevalence was significantly higher in female prisoners ( 65 % ), those aged above 28 years ( 48 % ), and in Indigenous prisoners originating from metropolitan areas ( 56 % ). Indigenous prisoners originating from remote areas had significantly lower HCV prevalence ( 20 % ). 666 prisoners were recruited at entry, and 42 % were estimated to be HCV - antibody positive. Three seroconversions were noted in 151 initially HCV - seronegative negative individuals followed up for a median time of 121 days - a rate 4.6 per 100 person years - but community exposure could not be ruled out. Overall agreement between HCV - antibody and HCV - RNA assays was 86 % ( 100% in the HCV negative samples ) - kappa = 0.71. Injecting history was highly prevalent in prison entrants ( 70 % ) and both community and prison injecting ( but not tattooing ) were independent predictors of entry HCV status. Prison history was also independently associated with entry HCV status. Injecting in prison during the study was infrequently reported, but significantly more likely in those testing HCV - antibody positive at prison entry ( risk ratio = 2.48, P = 0.046 ). Stakeholders were most supportive of strategies to increase education and to minimise risks associated with hair clippers, but did not support most other suggested preventive strategies. Other issues related to communicable diseases and infection control were explored in the stakeholder interviews. Conclusions: HCV prevalence in South Australian prisoners is extremely high and may have contributed to a ' ceiling effect ' , minimising the seroconversion rate observed in this population. Injecting is relatively infrequently reported in prison, but more likely in those already infected with HCV. Thus, contaminated injecting equipment represents a significant threat to other prisoners and prison staff. Strategies aimed at reducing HCV risk in prisons, which address the concerns of those expected to implement them, are proposed in this thesis. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2006.

This thesis aimed to describe the epidemiology of HCV in South Australian prisons - prevalence, transmission and risk factors. This thesis also aimed to determine the impact of incarceration on reported risk behaviours. A related objective was to evaluate the epidemiological effectiveness of the ELISA - 3 HCV antibody test using PCR as the gold standard. Finally, this thesis aimed to explore the potential for minimising HCV risk in the South Australian prison population. Methods: Two case note audits were conducted at each of eight publicly operated SA prisons ( in summer and winter ) to identify any documented HCV - antibody test results. Prisoners recruited at entry to prison were offered tests for HCV - antibody and completed a pre - entry risk factor survey. Participants completed additional risk factor surveys and ( if HCV - negative at last test ) underwent further antibody tests at three - monthly intervals for up to 15 months. A sample of participants also provided blood specimens for HCV - RNA testing. Limited stakeholder consultations with prison officers and nurses were also conducted. Quantitative data were analysed using univariate and multivariate techniques. Results: 1347 case notes were audited in summer, and 1347 in winter and an overall HCV prevalence of 42 % was estimated. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, HCV prevalence was significantly higher in female prisoners ( 65 % ), those aged above 28 years ( 48 % ), and in Indigenous prisoners originating from metropolitan areas ( 56 % ). Indigenous prisoners originating from remote areas had significantly lower HCV prevalence ( 20 % ). 666 prisoners were recruited at entry, and 42 % were estimated to be HCV - antibody positive. Three seroconversions were noted in 151 initially HCV - seronegative negative individuals followed up for a median time of 121 days - a rate 4.6 per 100 person years - but community exposure could not be ruled out. Overall agreement between HCV - antibody and HCV - RNA assays was 86 % ( 100% in the HCV negative samples ) - kappa = 0.71. Injecting history was highly prevalent in prison entrants ( 70 % ) and both community and prison injecting ( but not tattooing ) were independent predictors of entry HCV status. Prison history was also independently associated with entry HCV status. Injecting in prison during the study was infrequently reported, but significantly more likely in those testing HCV - antibody positive at prison entry ( risk ratio = 2.48, P = 0.046 ). Stakeholders were most supportive of strategies to increase education and to minimise risks associated with hair clippers, but did not support most other suggested preventive strategies. Other issues related to communicable diseases and infection control were explored in the stakeholder interviews. Conclusions: HCV prevalence in South Australian prisoners is extremely high and may have contributed to a ' ceiling effect ' , minimising the seroconversion rate observed in this population. Injecting is relatively infrequently reported in prison, but more likely in those already infected with HCV. Thus, contaminated injecting equipment represents a significant threat to other prisoners and prison staff. Strategies aimed at reducing HCV risk in prisons, which address the concerns of those expected to implement them, are proposed in this thesis. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2006.

Contributing to a just, peaceful and safer South Africa through effective and humane incarceration of inmates, rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders is the Department’s mission statement. Correctional Service’s chapter 3 of the white paper on corrections, promotes the spirit and practise of goodwill and sincere interaction between offenders and their communities and families. Furthermore, rehabilitation is the responsibility of all social institutions and individuals, (starting within the family, educational, religious, sporting and cultural institutions), and a range of government departments. The main aim of this research was to explore the effectiveness of internal offender communication at Mdantsane Correctional Centre. The following research objectives were followed: (a). to examine the effectiveness of internal offenders’ communication at the Mdantsane Correctional Centre, (b)to assess challenges in the accessibility and flow of information between the department and offenders in the Mdantsane Correctional Centre and (c)to determine offenders’ preferred mode of communication in the Mdantsane Correctional Centre. A qualitative research design using in-depth interviews with Mdantsane Correctional Centre staff was utilised. A type of non-probability sampling known as purposeful sampling, was used. A total of twenty-five (25) participants were interviewed, using thematic content analysis for the findings and recommendations revealed in chapter 5.