The researcher conducted a mixed method research study on parole violations from a South African perspective. In South Africa, there is limited research regarding the causes of parole violations. Thus, the study is mainly descriptive, but also exploratory in nature and considered a first of its kind. The study aimed to explore parole violation as a phenomenon through the perceptions, opinions, attitudes and incident recall of re-incarcerated parolees. Furthermore, the study aimed to describe the causes for parolees to fail on parole. A two-phase sequential mixed methods research design was used that involved the collection and analysis of primarily quantitative data from self-administered questionnaires. These questionnaires were complemented by a qualitative data collection phase consisting of focus group interviews. A representative sample (n=111) chosen according to the various ethnic groups was drawn from a population of 1 111 adult male parole violators in the Gauteng region (aligned to the regional divisions used by the Department of Correctional Services and not to the provincial borders) for the quantitative phase. Non-probability sampling was used to select 22 participants who volunteered for the second, qualitative phase of the study (focus group interviews). Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse the data collected from the questionnaires. The data was analysed by means of frequencies (frequency tables and graphs) to describe one variable and cross tabulations (contingency tables) to show bivariate quantitative data. All the focus group interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. The transcripts provided a complete record of the discussions and helped to facilitate the analysis of the data according to identified, recurring themes. On release, many stigmatised and rejected parolees face widespread post-release challenges that prevent successful reintegration. The study revealed that poor pre-release planning and post-release support, a lack of education, unemployment, substance abuse, and a loss of family support are described as the main causes of parole violations. The recommendations from the research findings showed the importance of pre-release planning, risk assessment, employment, education, treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, community partnerships, family involvement, and graduated responses to parole violations that are fair, consistent, and legal. / Penology / D.Lit. et Phil. (Penology)

The aim of this qualitative research study was to explore the influences of pornographic material on the sexual exploitation of children. An interpretive research method, based on phenomenological principles, was followed. A total of 18 semistructured interviews were conducted with sentenced sex offenders who had committed an offence against a child (a person under the age of 18). The research findings, obtained through a process of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), highlighted personal and family characteristics that could increase individuals’ susceptibility to the effect of exposure to pornographic material. Moreover, it was found that early, recurrent exposure to pornography results in physical, cognitive and behavioural influences that considerably increase the level of sexual satisfaction and need for instantaneous sexual gratification. This uncontrollable need for sexual gratification often results in destructive behaviour such as addiction to pornographic material, criminal sexual acts involving children and damage to the family system. The effect of sexually explicit material is furthermore intensified by the availability of pornographic material on the Internet, which considerably increases the likelihood of individuals being exposed to a variety of pornographic images, including illegal material such as child pornography. Based on the outcomes of the research study, it can be concluded that pornography does have an effect on human behaviour in relation to the sexual exploitation of children which necessitates the effective regulation of pornographic material, especially on the Internet, and the evaluation of the help profession’s approach to effectively deal with issues stemming from exposure to pornographic material / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

The aim of this qualitative research study was to explore the influences of pornographic material on the sexual exploitation of children. An interpretive research method, based on phenomenological principles, was followed. A total of 18 semistructured interviews were conducted with sentenced sex offenders who had committed an offence against a child (a person under the age of 18). The research findings, obtained through a process of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), highlighted personal and family characteristics that could increase individuals’ susceptibility to the effect of exposure to pornographic material. Moreover, it was found that early, recurrent exposure to pornography results in physical, cognitive and behavioural influences that considerably increase the level of sexual satisfaction and need for instantaneous sexual gratification. This uncontrollable need for sexual gratification often results in destructive behaviour such as addiction to pornographic material, criminal sexual acts involving children and damage to the family system. The effect of sexually explicit material is furthermore intensified by the availability of pornographic material on the Internet, which considerably increases the likelihood of individuals being exposed to a variety of pornographic images, including illegal material such as child pornography. Based on the outcomes of the research study, it can be concluded that pornography does have an effect on human behaviour in relation to the sexual exploitation of children which necessitates the effective regulation of pornographic material, especially on the Internet, and the evaluation of the help profession’s approach to effectively deal with issues stemming from exposure to pornographic material / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

No description available.

This report is the result of a literature study and questionnaire which gave insight on the role of Department of Correctional Services in the rehabilitation of child molesters. Correctional Services has adopted a new approach, where offenders need to change their negative behavior and be rehabilitated. Corrections have a societal responsibility towards the community to guide the offender on his rehabilitation path. This study was conducted to give a better understanding of rehabilitation to child molesters. It seems that child molesters will re-offend if they are not included in a thorough treatment programme. The purpose of this research is to determine if the Department of Correctional Services delivers on its legal and social responsibility towards the rehabilitation of child molesters. It is evaluated against international benchmarks. In this study the researcher gathered information on the profile of a child molester, the programmes currently available in Correctional Services, and also the involvement of the community in this process. Corrections cannot work alone, and needs the help of the community and leaders in the community to assist it in this process. Correctional Services faces many challenges in order to succeed in the rehabilitation of offenders. Currently there is a shortage of social workers and psychologists in the Department of Correctional Services, and the Department cannot, therefore, fully succeed in its rehabilitative role. Another aspect is that treatment is voluntary, and offenders can decide if they want to become involved or not. Only if the judge decides that the offender must be included in therapy, can he be forced to do so. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

The researcher conducted a mixed method research study on parole violations from a South African perspective. In South Africa, there is limited research regarding the causes of parole violations. Thus, the study is mainly descriptive, but also exploratory in nature and considered a first of its kind. The study aimed to explore parole violation as a phenomenon through the perceptions, opinions, attitudes and incident recall of re-incarcerated parolees. Furthermore, the study aimed to describe the causes for parolees to fail on parole. A two-phase sequential mixed methods research design was used that involved the collection and analysis of primarily quantitative data from self-administered questionnaires. These questionnaires were complemented by a qualitative data collection phase consisting of focus group interviews. A representative sample (n=111) chosen according to the various ethnic groups was drawn from a population of 1 111 adult male parole violators in the Gauteng region (aligned to the regional divisions used by the Department of Correctional Services and not to the provincial borders) for the quantitative phase. Non-probability sampling was used to select 22 participants who volunteered for the second, qualitative phase of the study (focus group interviews). Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse the data collected from the questionnaires. The data was analysed by means of frequencies (frequency tables and graphs) to describe one variable and cross tabulations (contingency tables) to show bivariate quantitative data. All the focus group interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. The transcripts provided a complete record of the discussions and helped to facilitate the analysis of the data according to identified, recurring themes. On release, many stigmatised and rejected parolees face widespread post-release challenges that prevent successful reintegration. The study revealed that poor pre-release planning and post-release support, a lack of education, unemployment, substance abuse, and a loss of family support are described as the main causes of parole violations. The recommendations from the research findings showed the importance of pre-release planning, risk assessment, employment, education, treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, community partnerships, family involvement, and graduated responses to parole violations that are fair, consistent, and legal. / Penology / D.Lit. et Phil. (Penology)

The role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and criminal thinking in causing criminal behavior has been explored extensively in criminal justice research. Based on the concepts of ACEs and the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Scale, the negative parental influences and criminal thinking styles of 1,354 juvenile offenders were examined to establish that negative parental influences and criminal thinking are separately associated with juvenile problem and offending behavior, and that criminal thinking mediates the relationship between negative parental influences and juvenile problem and offending behavior. Analyses showed support for criminal thinking as a pathway from negative parental influences to juvenile problem and offending behavior. Focuses for juvenile offender intervention programs are suggested.

Contexte. Les infractions à caractère sexuel ont fortement augmenté dans les dernières années et les personnes mineures en sont les principales victimes. Un grand intérêt est accordé aux distorsions cognitives dans le champ de la recherche en délinquance sexuelle. Cependant, très peu d’études se sont intéressées aux dimensions mesurées par l’un des instruments les plus utilisés : l’échelle de cognitions Molest (ÉCM ; Bumby, 1996). Peu d’études se sont également intéressées au lien entre les distorsions cognitives et la carrière criminelle des auteurs d’infractions à caractère sexuel sur personnes mineures (AICSM). Objectif. L’objectif du présent mémoire est d’explorer les dimensions mesurées par l’ÉCM et les comparer aux résultats d’études précédentes. Il est aussi question d’étudier le lien entre les distorsions cognitives mesurées par l’ÉCM et la carrière criminelle des AICSM. Méthodes. L’échantillon est composé de 1232 hommes adultes AICSM étant suivis au Centre d’intervention en délinquance sexuelle (CIDS) de Laval. Les participants ont tous complété l’ÉCM lors de leur suivi au centre. Résultats. Les résultats indiquent que quatre dimensions émergent de l’ÉCM et que certaines distorsions cognitives telles que mesurées par cet instrument sont liées aux différents paramètres de carrière criminelle des individus composant l’échantillon, incluant la récidive violente et sexuelle. / Background. Sexual offenses have increased sharply in recent years and minors are the main victims. There is considerable interest in cognitive distortions in the field of sexual offending research. However, very few studies have focused on the dimensions measured by one of the most widely used instruments: the MOLEST Cognitions Scale (Bumby, 1996). Few studies have also looked at the link between cognitive distortions and the criminal careers of people who have sexually offended against a minor (PSOM). Objective. The objective of the present study is to explore the dimensions measured by the MOLEST scale and compare them with the results of previous studies. It also investigates the relationship between cognitive distortions measured by the MOLEST scale and PSOMs’ criminal careers. Methods. The sample consisted of 1,232 adult men who sexually offended on a minor and were being treated at the Intervention centre in sexual delinquency (ICSD) in Quebec (Canada). All participants completed the MOLEST cognition scale during their treatment at the ICSD. Results. Findings indicate that four dimensions emerge from the MOLEST scale, and that certain cognitive distortions as measured by this instrument are related to the different criminal career parameters of sample, including violent and sexual recidivism.

Mental health services in South Africa and the field of psychology are not keeping up with the changed landscape of child sexual abuse that includes women who perpetrate these violations. New laws have not made a massive impact on out of control behaviours, while the paucity of mental health services for women who sexually violate children is a significant failing in mental health service provision. Exploratory, descriptive research approached the topic from the perspective of the psychology of healing rather than the psychology of wrongdoing. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 professionals in relevant fields, purposefully selected in four provinces in South Africa that revealed a lack of knowledge, resources, and funding, as well as gaps in curricula. Some practitioners were willing to work with women who sexually violate children, while others were either unwilling or reluctant to do so for various reasons. Women who sexually violate children are typically not mentally ill but could have mental disorders and lives dominated by dysfunction and trauma. Data were analysed utilising Attride- Stirling’s (2001) thematic networks, while Gannon, Rose, and Ward’s (2008) descriptive model of female sexual offending (DMFSO) provided the theoretical framework. Recommendations include establishing online services to aid perpetrator disclosure and therapeutic interventions, providing individual psychotherapeutic interventions to uncover more than recent trauma, directing donor funding to sex offender programmes, networking among service providers including government agencies, and training those within the mental health services environment and the criminal justice system. Furthermore, mental health and relevant medical practitioners need to ensure comfort with their sexuality and to resolve their psychological blind spots before offering psychotherapeutic interventions to women who sexually violate children. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Psychology)

Abstracts and keywords in English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Northern Sotho / The main aim of this study is to obtain the MASTER OF ARTS degree. Secondly this study gives clarity on the study of long-term offenders in a maximum security prison. Offenders detained in maximum security prisons are given long-term imprisonment by the court of law. Long-term imprisonment goes along with high level of stress in correctional facilities. As a result, the development and treatment programs offered for inmates form part of the study. This study is important for the South African correctional system due to some of the categories of offenders in maximum security prisons. / Die hoofoogmerk van hierdie studie is om ʼn MAGISTER-graad te verwerf. Die studie gee tweedens duidelikheid oor die bestudering van langtermynoortreders in ʼn maksimumsekuriteittronk. Oortreders wat in maksimumsekuriteittronke aangehou word, word langtermyngevangenisstraf opgelê deur ʼn geregshof. Langtermyngevangenisstraf word geassosieer met hoë stresvlakke in korrektiewe fasiliteite. Die ontwikkeling- en behandelingprogramme wat aan gevangenes gebied word, vorm deel van hierdie studie. Hierdie studie is belangrik vir die Suid-Afrikaanse korrektiewe stelsel en sommige van die kategorieë van oortreders in maksimumsekuriteittronke. / Okuyiyona nhloso enkulu yalolu cwaningo ngukuthola iziqu zemiyezane ye-MASTER OF ARTS. Okwesibili, lolu cwaningo luyacacisa mayelana nokucwaninga ngezaphulamthetho ezingahle zibuye ziphinde (long-term offenders), ezisuke sisejele elinokuvikeleka okuseqophelweni eliphezulu. Izaphulamthetho eziboshelwe emajele anokuvikeleka okuseqophelweni eliphezulu zisuke zigwetshwe yinkantolo yomthetho ukuthi zihlale ejele isikhathi eside. Ezindaweni zokuhlumelelisa izimilo, ukuboshwa isikhathi eside kuhambelana namazinga aphezulu engcindezi (stress). Izinhlelo ezakhelwe ukuthuthukisa kanye nokwelapha iziboshwa ziyizinto eziyingxenye yalolu cwaningo. Lolu cwaningo lusemqoka maqondana nohlelo lwaseNingizimu Afrika lokuhlumelelisa izimilo kanye nakwezinye izigaba zezaphulamthetho emajele anokuvikeleka okuseqophelweni eliphezulu. / Maikemišetšo a magolo a nyakišišo ye ke go hwetša lengwalo la thuto la MASTASE (MA). Sa bobedi, nyakišišo ye e fa tlhaloso ka ga nyakišišo ya basenyi ba paka ye telele ka kgolegong ya bagolegwa bao ba lego kotsi kudu. Basenyi bao ba golegilwego ka dikgolegong tša bagolegwa bao ba lego kotsi kudu ba fiwa kahlolo ya paka ye telele ke kgorotsheko ya molao. Kahlolo ya paka ye telele e amantšhwa le maemo a godimo a kgatelelo ka gare ga mafelo a tshokollo. Mananeo a tshwaro le tshokollo ao a abelwago bagolegwammogo a bopa karolo ya nyakišišo. Nyakišišo ye e bohlokwa go mokgwa wa Afrika Borwa wa tshokollo le go magoro a mangwe a basenyi ka gare ga dikgolego tša bagolegwa bao ba lego kotsi kudu. / Corrections Management / M.A. (Corrections Management)