M.Cur. (Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing) / The objective of this research is to explore and describe how the white-collar criminal experiences being admitted to prison. In a country like South Africa, where the crime rate is of the highest in the world and where a new democratic era has also begun where the prisoner is entitled to more humane treatment, the Department of Correctional Service faces considerable criticism from time to time, whilst being exposed to increasing demands. The white-collar criminal experiences problems integrating successfully in the prison community, with the result that such integration and the accompanying deprivation give rise to mental health problems. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual research study has been undertaken to describe how. the white-collar criminal experiences being admitted to prison. Five whitecollar criminals, who. met all the set criteria, were included in the study by means of purposive convenience sampling. . In-depth exploration into the experience of the white-collar criminal was done by utilising the phenomenological method of interviewing for the collection of data. The researcher put a central question to the respondents, viz.: "How do you experience your admission to prison?" Data were analysed by means of descriptive analysis as described by Tesch. Anindependent coder was used to code and analyse the data. Consensus discussions between the researcher and the coder were held on the results. Obstacles and facilitative aspects were identified, which influence the white-collar criminal's ability to integrate in the prison community as part of the facilitation of the promotion, maintenance and restoration of mental health as an integral part of health...

In the light of a more punitive stance in Corrections and public discontent with the criminal justice system, a number of studies have been conducted since 1970 testing public punitiveness, probably in an attempt to determine whether sentences laid down by courts are in line with public perceptions on just deserts. This study combines two scales: The first a Likert scale measuring punitiveness as such and the second a "Just Deserts" scale testing public reactions in terms of imprisonment for crime descriptions. By using Pearson's correlation, no positive correlation could be established between these two scales. Profiles of the top and bottom 15% scorers on both scales showed that the scales were, if anything, negatively related. This information is informative in the sense that opinion polls showing public discontentment with sentencing cannot be seen as a true reflection of their reactions to more descriptive cases. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: “Restorative Justice Programmes are proliferating internationally and gaining mainstream acceptance as alternative or supplementary justice interventions". Immarigieon & Daly, (1997:13). With the growth of the Restorative Justice approach in the various disciplines, the need to assess the programme - its principal goals, effectiveness and impact on offenders / inmates in Correctional Services Centres / facilities - is imperative. The thesis investigates the socio-religious factors of the Restorative Justice programme and evaluates their impact, whether it is short-term or long-term, on offenders serving a sentence at Voorberg Correctional Centre / Facility, within the Department of Correctional Services of South Africa. The primary objectives of this research are: 1. To determine if the Restorative Justice programme includes socio-religious factors or not? 2. To study the impact of these socio-factors and how the programme participants understand the programme in terms of the following: (1) programme attendance; (2) awareness raising; (3) gaining a better understanding and perception of the programme contents. 3. To study these socio-religious factors and activities of Restorative Justice programme within the framework of Harden’s Faith-Based Programme Theory, and to formulate parameters for an Integrated Faith-Based Programme for Restorative Justice within the context of the Department of Correctional Services. One the one hand the programme of Restorative Justice is rendered by the Spiritual Care Division, as a spiritual / religious programme. On the other hand, it is also rendered as a Correctional programme by Case Intervention Officers within the Department of Correctional Services. One Orientation Manual is used by both divisions. The policy of the Department of Correctional Services focuses on the social aspects in order to pursue and meet its objectives. But the researcher argues that the impact of the programme depends on how it links the socio- and religious characters of Restorative Justice. Building on existing literature on an Integrated Faith-Based Outcome Theory Model of Restorative Justice, the researcher proposes a new programme theory and programme outcomes that include both these factors, namely social and religious, as mechanisms to enhance social and religious acceptance and change. The researcher strongly believes that both socio- and religious factors will assist future programme participants of restorative justice in creating better awareness, knowledge and social acceptance as short term goals of the programme. On the other hand both the socio- and religious factors can contribute in fulfilling the long term goals within the lives of programme participants, such as the reintegration society, and the restoration of their relationships with themselves, victims, families and communities.

In the light of a more punitive stance in Corrections and public discontent with the criminal justice system, a number of studies have been conducted since 1970 testing public punitiveness, probably in an attempt to determine whether sentences laid down by courts are in line with public perceptions on just deserts. This study combines two scales: The first a Likert scale measuring punitiveness as such and the second a "Just Deserts" scale testing public reactions in terms of imprisonment for crime descriptions. By using Pearson's correlation, no positive correlation could be established between these two scales. Profiles of the top and bottom 15% scorers on both scales showed that the scales were, if anything, negatively related. This information is informative in the sense that opinion polls showing public discontentment with sentencing cannot be seen as a true reflection of their reactions to more descriptive cases. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)