From 1999 until 2008 I worked with offenders making plays at Westville Medium B Correction Centre, using collective techniques to address social issues and involve the audience in debates. This work was inspired by the Southern African Theatre for Development of the 1980s. During 2002 and 2003 the offenders created and performed the two plays which form the case studies for this research. Isikhathi Sewashi (The Time of the Watch), presents their experiences of growing up under apartheid, political faction fighting, and crime and asks the audience to generate solutions to crime. Lisekhon’ Ithemba (There is Still Hope) addresses the prejudice of the correctional staff and offenders towards those living with HIV/AIDS. Offenders were involved in the research process and conducted group interviews with 110 members of the audience. I conducted interviews with 21 performers and used classical Grounded Theory to analyse the interviews. The theory that emerged demonstrates how the offenders, performers and audience used theatre to negotiate social relations. The plays negotiated the stereotyping of offenders, managed conflict, and increased care for offenders who were ill. Offenders also used the plays to negotiate power relations involving the correctional system and the numbers gangs. Collective play-making techniques allowed western and African aesthetics to combine. The aesthetics of Epic Theatre and Theatre of the Oppressed combined with those of isiZulu popular performance. The theories of Freire (1996:64), Brecht (in Willet 1964: 57) and Boal (1979:xix–xxi) had the intention of promoting actions and change of a social and political nature. Both Soyinka (1976: 51) and Kamlongera (n.d. 18-26) argue that theatre that engages an African worldview has its roots in social functions involving man and his environment. The offenders’ identification with characters and situations, their feelings of regret and self-pity, drove their critical engagement with the plays. They then formulated solutions and took action to effect change. Some of their actions challenged the authority of the correctional system and the numbers gang. The binary formulation of Aristotelian and non-Aristotelian theatre in the work of Brecht (in Willet 1964: 281) and Boal (2000: xix –xxi) is contradicted in this case study. Elements from both forms co-exist here. The audience’s responses to the plays reflect what Freire (1996:33) refers to as domesticating oppression but also demonstrate praxis which emerges as forms of resistance, and self-creation. The offenders’ potential to effect change in the correction centre, however, remains limited. My findings address current debates in the field of Prison Theatre (Thompson 1998:11 and Balfour 2004: 1-18) about the potential for theatre to effect change beyond offending behaviour and to include systemic change within the correctional system. Collective play-making provides offenders with a voice in the correction centre. The power of collective play-making is that cultural production remains in the hands of offenders and becomes a means through which they can expresses their concerns and sense of reality. Further research around collective play-making in other contexts and involving communities with different cultural resources is needed to validate the emergent theory presented here or to arrive at further reformulations. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

M.A. (Social Work) / This study analyses the aims and objectives in probation service programmes and those formulated for probation services within more comprehensive social welfare programmes. Probation services refer to all the social work services aimed at preventing crime and promoting the social welfare and functioning of the offender, his dependants and the victims of crime. A programme refers to a group of interdependent activities that focuses on achieving objectives or a set of objectives. An aim refers to, a statement that describes the long-term goal of a programme. refers to an operational describes in specific, what goals or results the a certain period of time. An objective, on the other hand, statement in a programme which observable and measurable terms programme plans to achieve within Measured against these definitions, the problem statement was formulated that the aims and objectives of probation service programmes would not meet the required standards. The point of departure was that programme formulators give inadequate attention to the components of aims and objectives. Furthermore, the general types of formulated aims and objectives were determined, as well as the preferred levels of objectives. The research included a study of the literature and archival sources and the completion of questionnaires in order to undertake an empirical investigation in which aims and objectives were evaluated and a model was drawn up for them. It is stressed that the history of probation services in the Republic of South Africa; the policy as it is laid down in the various Acts, particularly; and the formulated probation service programmes

On t.p.: Master in Social Work (Welfare Programme Management) / Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study attempts to gain insight into the nature of psychosocial stress experienced by correctional officials. In order to achieve this, a literature study was undertaken regarding the nature of psychosocial stress from an ecological perspective as well as strategies that the occupational social worker, management and central government can employ to address stress experienced by correctional officials. Secondly, an empirical study was undertaken and information on the research topic was obtained from correctional officials that worked on the sections inside prisons and who worked directly with inmates. The study indicated that low motivation amongst colleagues, insufficient salaries and bad collegial co-operation were factors that had a major influence on psychosocial stress experienced by correctional officials. Factors such as family responsibilities as opposed to work responsibilities; drug-or alcohol abuse as well as physical constraints have less of an impact on psychosocial stress. It was furthermore found that the need for confidentiality, guidance in stress management and emotional support enjoys a high priority with correctional officials regarding social worker intervention. Issues such as the need that the social worker should form part of a multi-disciplinary team or that he/she should mobilise their colleagues and supervisors for support enjoyed a lesser preference with correctional officials. With regard to the role of management it was found that correctional officials require that management should primarily provide more promotional opportunities and should develop a more satisfactory merit system. Dissatisfaction with the Department of Correctional Services' Employee Assistance Programme and the present shift system were less of a concern to correctional officials. It was concluded that that stressors experienced by correctional officials are varied and include feelings of anger, depression and a general dissatisfaction with managerial styles and certain departmental actions and procedures. It was also very evident that many correctional officials felt that they do not have an appropriate avenue to deal with their stress. If this situation prevails, it was concluded that it will exacerbate correctional officials' poor social functioning. With regard to social worker intervention it was concluded that the vast majority of correctional officials are in dire need of social work intervention to assist them in effectively dealing with stress. It was further concluded that the Department of Correctional Services does not have sufficient structures in place to support correctional officials during stressful periods. Management has a vital role to play in supporting correctional officials when coping with psychosocial stress. If the present situation remains unattended to by management it may impede correctional officials' ability to deal with stress. Recommendations by respondents also indicated a low level of involvement by management in the practical stressors which correctional officials may face. It was also concluded that present attempts by management to deal with psychosocial stress effectively through the induction of an Employee Assistance Programme and the longstanding grievance procedure, have severe practical limitations. Recommendations were made to the social worker, management and central government regarding effectively addressing psychosocial stress experienced by correctional officials working on sections and who are primarily responsible for the guarding of inmates. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie is ondersoek ingestel na die aard van psigo-sosiale stres wat deur korrektiewe beamptes ervaar word. Ten einde hierin te slaag,is eerstens 'n literatuurstudie onderneem ten opsigte van die aard van psigo-sosiale stres vanuit 'n ekologiese perspektief. Daar is ook gekyk na strategieë wat die bedryfsmaatskaplike werker, bestuur sowel as die sentrale regering kan aanwend om psigo-sosiale stres wat deur korrektiewe beamptes ervaar word aan te spreek. Daarna is 'n empieriese studie onderneem deur vraelyste aan korrektiewe beamptes te stuur wat direk op seksies binne in gevangenis met gevangenes werksamig is. Die navorsing het aangedui dat lae motivering onder kollegas,onvoldoende salarisse en swak kollegiale samewerking die grootste bydraende faktor is tot psigososialestres wat deur korrektiewe beamptes ervaar word. Faktore soos alkohol- of dwelmmisbruik en liggaamlike gebreke oefen In mindere invloed uit op psigososiale stres wat deur korrektiewe beamptes ervaar word. Met betrekking tot die behoefte aan maatskaplike intervensie is daar bevind dat vertroullkheld, leiding in stres hantering en emosionele steun die hoogste prioriteit by korrektiewe beamptes geniet. Faktore soos die behoefte dat die maatskaplike werker deel moet vorm van 'n multi-dissiplinêre span of dat hy/sy die korrektiewe beampte se kollegas en supervisors moet mobiliseer vir ondersteuning, het 'n mindere prioriteit by korrektiewe beamptes geniet. Met betrekking tot die rol van bestuur, is daar gevind dat korrektiewe beamptes meer bevorderings geleenthede en 'n verbeterde meriete stelsel van bestuur verwag. Ontevredenheid met die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste se werknemer bystandsprogram (WBP) en die huidige skofstelsel was 'n laer prioriteit vir korrektiewe beamptes. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat stressors wat ervaar word deur korrektiewe beamptes uiteenlopend van aard is en dit sluit in gevoelens van depressie, woede sowel as 'n algemene ontevredenheid met bestuurstyle en sekere departementele aksies en prosedures. Dit was ook baie duidelik dat baie korrektiewe beamptes nie 'n geskikte hulpmiddel het om hulle in staat te stelom psigososiale stres effektief te hanteer nie. Indien die huidige situasie bly voortbestaan, kan korrektiewe beamptes se swak maatskaplike funksionering verder belemmer word. Met betrekking tot maatskaplike werk intervensie ,is gevind dat die oorgrote meerderheid van korrektiewe beamptes 'n noodsaaklike behoefte daartoe het dat die maatskaplike werker hulle moet ondersteun om psigososiale-stres effektief te hanteer. Voorts is die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die Departement van Korrektiewe I Dienste nie oor toereikende strukture beskik om die korrektiewe beampte te ondersteun tydens stresvolle tydperke nie. Bestuur het 'n noodsaaklike rol in die ondersteuning van die korrektiewe beampte in sy/haar hantering van psigososiale stres. Indien die huidige situasie nie voldoende deur bestuur aangespreek word nie, kan dit die korrektiewe beampte se vermoë om psigososiale-stres te hanteer verder strem. Aanbevelings deur respondente het ook 'n lae vlak van betrokkenheid deur bestuur aangedui by die praktiese stressors wat korrektiewe beamptes mag ervaar. Die gevolgtrekking is ook gemaak dat huidige pogings deur bestuur om psigososiale stres aan te spreek deur middel van 'n werknemer bystandsprogram en die reeds gevestigde griewe prosedure, grootskaalse beperkings het. Aanbevelings is aan maatskaplike werkers,bestuur en die sentrale regering gemaak oor hoe om psigososiale stres wat deur korrektiewe beamptes werksaam op seksies binne in gevangenisse en wat primêr vir die bewaking van gevangenes verantwoordelik is, aan te spreek.

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Die proefskrif poog om 'n penologiese evaluering rakende die assessering van oortreders vir korrektiewe toesig weer te gee. Korrektiewe toesig is 'n vonnisopsie wat oortreders binne die gemeenskap rebabiliteer. 'n Literatuurstudie oor die ontwikkeling van korrektiewe toesig in verskillende wereldlande is ingestel asook die wetlike ontstaan en praktiese toepassing in Suid-Afrika. Korrektiewe toesig is met deeglike navorsing deur die Krugel-Werkgroep vooraf gegaan. Die Witskrif rakende die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste wat op navorsing gevolg bet, is gedurende Mei 1991 in die parlement van Suid-Afrika ter tafel gele. Parlementsdebatte is gevolg deur wetswysigings van onder andere die Strafproseswet, 1977 en die Wet op Gevangenisse, 1959. Eenstemmigheid het genoemde parlementsitting gekenmerk wat gevolg het tot die instelling van korrektiewe toesig. Korrektiewe toesig soos deur die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste toegepas word, is ondersoek maar veral die funksionering van huisarres, monitering en gemeenskapsdiens. Die assessering van oortreders en hul promovering vanaf maksimum intensiewe na medium - en na minimum - van huisarres sowel as monitering is nagegaan. Assesseringsmetodes van die State Georgie en Wisconsin in die V.S.A. asook ander kriteria is ondersoek om die geskiktheid van oortreders te klassifiseer deur middel van 'n seleksieproses. 'n Profielstudie van kandidate by die Kaapstadse gemeenskapskorreksie-kantoor is opgestel met 'n ondersoek vanuit 624 gevalle asook die menings van landdroste in Pretoria en die distrik van Wonderboom rakende korrektiewe toesig. / This thesis is an attempt to give a penological evaluation relating to the assessment and suitability of offenders for correctional supervision. Correctional supervision is a sentencing option aimed at rehabilitating offenders within community context. This research will focus on the development of correctional supervision in differnt countries around the world inclusive of South Africa. The implementation of correctional supervision in South Africa was precede by research done by the Kriigel Commission. In May 1991 a White paper was tabled in Parliament regarding the broadening of the mission of the Department of Correctional Services. Much debate in Parliament resulted in amendments to inter alia the Criminal Procedures Act, 1977 and the Prisons Act, 1959. In this thesis the application of cor!'ectional supervision as redered by the Department of Correctional Services is investigated with special reference to house arrest, monitoring and community service. Assessment and promotion from maximum intensive to medium intensive and to minimum intensive supervision are also looked at. Assessment methods and other criteria in the States of Georgia and Wisconsin in the United States of America are investigated in order to propose classification categories for the selection of offenders. A profile of an offender under supervision was undertaken with 624 cases from the Cape Town office for Correctional Supervision as well as in Pretoria and the district of Wonderboom. / Criminology and Security Science / D.Litt. et Phil. (Kriminologie)

This study used a complex adaptive systems approach to explore innovations geared towards the rehabilitation of offenders in the Department of Correctional Services. It examined how innovations came about in view of the complex adaptive nature of the department, which is defined as a complex system with agents having various schema and mental models. It used complex adaptive systems approach as a lens through which to view the emergence of correctional innovations. This was achieved through a multi-methodical qualitative research approach to data collection, using interviews and documentary data to unpack public sector innovation, with the Correctional Services‟ Service Delivery Improvement directorate as a unit of analysis. This study further explored the compatibility of the five bedrock principles of a complex adaptive system and how such principles have shaped the emergence of innovations in a public sector organization where all innovative efforts are geared towards the improvement of service delivery as opposed to profit-making for competitive advantage, as is often the case with the profit-making sectors. In view of the dynamic and nonlinearity nature of organizational systems, the use of a complex adaptive systems perspective provided this study with a pivotal tool to analyse innovation as an emergent property of a complex adaptive system rather than as a carefully planned organizational element emanating from either strategic planning or research and development initiatives of an organization. This is further strengthened by the lack of employment of complexity science in public sector organizations like Correctional Services in particular. The study sought to achieve ground-breaking work in using complex adaptive systems perspective in innovation within the Department of Correctional Services, a terrain that has not been ventured into before. It was seen to be of crucial significance to explore innovation using complex adaptive systems and to adopt a paradigm that was initially designed for the natural sciences, and has been adopted by profit-making organizations and cascaded to the non-profit making sector as represented by the Department Correctional Services. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Die proefskrif poog om 'n penologiese evaluering rakende die assessering van oortreders vir korrektiewe toesig weer te gee. Korrektiewe toesig is 'n vonnisopsie wat oortreders binne die gemeenskap rebabiliteer. 'n Literatuurstudie oor die ontwikkeling van korrektiewe toesig in verskillende wereldlande is ingestel asook die wetlike ontstaan en praktiese toepassing in Suid-Afrika. Korrektiewe toesig is met deeglike navorsing deur die Krugel-Werkgroep vooraf gegaan. Die Witskrif rakende die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste wat op navorsing gevolg bet, is gedurende Mei 1991 in die parlement van Suid-Afrika ter tafel gele. Parlementsdebatte is gevolg deur wetswysigings van onder andere die Strafproseswet, 1977 en die Wet op Gevangenisse, 1959. Eenstemmigheid het genoemde parlementsitting gekenmerk wat gevolg het tot die instelling van korrektiewe toesig. Korrektiewe toesig soos deur die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste toegepas word, is ondersoek maar veral die funksionering van huisarres, monitering en gemeenskapsdiens. Die assessering van oortreders en hul promovering vanaf maksimum intensiewe na medium - en na minimum - van huisarres sowel as monitering is nagegaan. Assesseringsmetodes van die State Georgie en Wisconsin in die V.S.A. asook ander kriteria is ondersoek om die geskiktheid van oortreders te klassifiseer deur middel van 'n seleksieproses. 'n Profielstudie van kandidate by die Kaapstadse gemeenskapskorreksie-kantoor is opgestel met 'n ondersoek vanuit 624 gevalle asook die menings van landdroste in Pretoria en die distrik van Wonderboom rakende korrektiewe toesig. / This thesis is an attempt to give a penological evaluation relating to the assessment and suitability of offenders for correctional supervision. Correctional supervision is a sentencing option aimed at rehabilitating offenders within community context. This research will focus on the development of correctional supervision in differnt countries around the world inclusive of South Africa. The implementation of correctional supervision in South Africa was precede by research done by the Kriigel Commission. In May 1991 a White paper was tabled in Parliament regarding the broadening of the mission of the Department of Correctional Services. Much debate in Parliament resulted in amendments to inter alia the Criminal Procedures Act, 1977 and the Prisons Act, 1959. In this thesis the application of cor!'ectional supervision as redered by the Department of Correctional Services is investigated with special reference to house arrest, monitoring and community service. Assessment and promotion from maximum intensive to medium intensive and to minimum intensive supervision are also looked at. Assessment methods and other criteria in the States of Georgia and Wisconsin in the United States of America are investigated in order to propose classification categories for the selection of offenders. A profile of an offender under supervision was undertaken with 624 cases from the Cape Town office for Correctional Supervision as well as in Pretoria and the district of Wonderboom. / Criminology and Security Science / D.Litt. et Phil. (Kriminologie)

Penology / (M.A. (Penology)

Penology / (M.A. (Penology)

Thesis (Ph.D. (Criminology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / Community involvement in ex-offenders’ re-integration is an important issue in efforts to reduce recidivism and to control overcrowding in our correctional facilities. Crime is a social problem which requires society to come together to fight against. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) introduced Community Corrections Forums (CCFs) with the aim of controlling re-offending by ex-offenders. CCFs were established in each region to bring the community, business and stakeholders together to facilitate rehabilitation and re-integration. This study was conducted in the Limpopo Province, in Vhembe District Municipality within four local municipalities, namely Musina, Makhado, Mutale and Thulamela. A total number of 30 participants were interviewed and all were members of Community Corrections Forums. This was necessitated by the fact that Musina is a very small area which compelled the Department of Correctional Services to combine the two (Musina and Makhado) into one social re-integration entity. This is a qualitative research study where participants were selected through the use of purposive sampling. Participants were selected based on the value they would add to this study in order to achieve objectives. The data collection method of this study was the focus group which comprised by 3 groups of 10 participants each. Thulamela and Mutale local municipalities formed a group with (10) participants each whereas Musina (2) and Makhado (8) formed another. Results indicate that the current situation is not conducive for re-integration to be successful. CCF members raised many factors that need serious redress, namely offenders’ discrimination, lack of forgiveness by members of the community which is fuelled by lack of community awareness due to lack of education of communities by the Department of Correctional Services on reduce space of ex-offenders’ re-integration. The relationship between CCF and DCS raises many questions based on the results. Without a good working relationship between these two offices, the study observed that there would be no successful re-integration policy. Theoretical implications of the investigation based on labelling theory are discussed, together with practical applications for ex-offenders. The latter face daunting barriers to successful re-integration. Successful re-entry requires strong community support networks and comprehensive services by DCS, both of which are lacking in Vhembe District.

In this research project the overcrowding problem in South African prisons will be analysed as well as the influence it had on the rehabilitation of offenders. The problem of overcrowding in South Africa's prisons is very clear when the approved accommodation of a prison is compared with the actual number of prisoners incarcerated. Prison sentences are a favoured form of punishment throughout the world. More and more people seek alternatives to incarceration in order to reduce prison overcrowding. The time to finalize criminal cases, releases on bail, the abolishment of minimum sentences and better utilization of community based sentences are some of the issues which can reduce overcrowding. One of the concepts that was implemented to establish rehabilitation within prisons was Unit Management. The number of prisoners incarcerated makes it difficult for Unit Management to be effective. In some cases prisoners are kept under inhumane conditions which is a violation of the Constitution of South Africa. Currently the morale of members of Correctional Services is very low and this has an influence on the way in which they treat prisoners. These members are supposed to be an example to prisoners but instead their bad behaviour has a negative influence on prisoner's discipline. Correctional Services goal is to make every member a rehabilitator but overcrowding will first have to be reduced. Individual attention to prisoners is one of the building blocks of Unit Management but overcrowding of prisons creates a member/prisoner ratio which is far too high to be effective with rehabilitating prisoners. Community based sentences can also be utilized more frequently by the courts. It can better rehabilitation possibilities and through this the objectives of punishment are met. In the past the focus of South African Law was on the criminal. With the Correctional Services Act (Act 111/1998) this focus was shifted to the victim as well. Both these parties can now come together and discuss the offence as well as the influence it had on the victim. This is called restorative justice and it helps the offender with re-integration into the community. / Criminology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Penology)