Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Juvenile offenders have certain characteristics, which separate them from the law abiding young people. These characteristics, together with the subcultures inside prison in which they become socialized, can cause dysfunctional development, which in turn can lead to recidivism. To approach this client system and plan intervention according to the ecological perspective, the social worker needs to be equipped with a certain knowledge base. Firstly, knowledge is necessary about the profile of the juvenile offender. Secondly, the social worker has to understand the impact that a prison environment can have on the juvenile. Thirdly, it is also important that the worker knows how these factors can influence the intervention process and also be aware of different methods to strengthen the social functioning of the juvenile in pnson. This study endeavours to create a scientifically based framework for the development of a strategy for intervention with the juvenile offender, in order to bring about appropriate social functioning and by doing this, reduce recidivism. The research includes aspects of all three the recognized types of research, namely: exploratory, descriptive and explanatory. The profile of the juvenile offender, as well as ways in which the prison environment impacts on his development was determined by means of interviews and described in terms of the effect it might have on the intervention process. The respondents consisted of 11 ex juvenile offenders. Conclusions and recommendations were made which focussed, amongst others, on the various phases in the group work process and the development of knowledge regarding the juvenile offender. This research report can be utilized by social workers for effective intervention with juvenile offenders in prison. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Jeugoortreders het sekere karaktereienskappe wat hul van wetsgehoorsame jeugdiges onderskei. Hierdie karaktertrekke, tesame met die gevangeniskultuur waarbinne hul gesosialiseer word, veroorsaak disfunksionele ontwikkeling wat weer na residivisme kan lei. Om volgens 'n ekologiese perspektief intervensie met hierdie kliëntsisteem te benader, is dit eerstens noodsaaklik dat die maatskaplike werker die profiel van die jeugmisdadiger ken. Tweedens is dit nodig dat die werker die impak van die gevangenisomgewing op die jeugdige verstaan. Derdens is dit belangrik dat die werker weet hoe hierdie faktore op die hulpverleningsproses kan impakteer en ook bewus moet wees van verskeie metodes om die jeugdige in die gevangenis se maatskaplike funksionering te beïnvloed. Hierdie studie bevat kenmerke van al drie die erkende navorsingsdoelstellings, naamlik verkenning, beskrywing en verklaring. Die ondersoek het ten doel om 'n wetenskaplik gefundeerde raamwerk daar te stel vir die ontwikkeling van 'n intervensiestrategie ten opsigte van jeugmisdadigers in die gevangenis, ten einde funksionele maatskaplike funksionering mee te bring en sodoende residivisme te verminder. Die profiel van die jeugmisdadiger en die impak van die omgewing op sy ontwikkeling is deur middel van onderhoude bepaal en beskryf in terme van die invloed wat dit op die intervensieproses kan hê. Respondente in die navorsing het uit elf vrygelate jeugmisdadigers bestaan. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings is gemaak wat onder andere gefokus het op die verskeie fases in die groepwerkproses en ontwikkeling van kennis oor die betrokke kliëntsisteem. Hierdie navorsingsverslag sal deur maatskaplike werkers benut kan word vir effektiewe hulpverlening aan jeugdiges in die gevangenis.

In hierdie studie word die ses Suid-Afrikaanse gevangenisbendes vergelyk met vyftien bendes uit oorsese lande of streke, tw. Amerika, Sentraal- en Suid Amerika, Kanada, Nieu Zeeland en Brittanje. As basis van vergelyking dien hul Oorsprong, Ontstaansdoel, Geslags- en Etniese samestelling, Eienskappe, Gesagstruktuur, Uitkenningstekens en Metodes van kommunikasie. Die verskillende bendes word ook vanuit Penologiese oogpunt beoordeel. `n Spesiale hoofstuk word gewy aan die uniekheid van die sogenaamde "Nommerbendes", tw. die 28, 27, 26, 25, 24 en 23 bendes. Verskeie aspekte soos die ontstaan, rituele en geheimhouding word volledig onder die soeklig geplaas. In die bespreking van die Nommerbendes word `n groot verskeidenheid geheime inligting vir die eerste maal geopenbaar. Die studie word afgesluit met enkele aanduidings van terreine wat roep om verdere navorsing. `n Vyftal bylaes dien om sekere aspekte van die navorsing en gevangenislewe verder toe te lig. / In this study the six South African prison gangs are compared to fifteen prison gangs from foreign countries, namely America, Central and South America, Canada, New Zealand and Britain. The comparison is based on their Origin, Original aim, Gender and Ethnic make-up, Characteristics, Authoritative structure, Gang identifiet·s and Methods of communication. The different gangs are then evaluated from Penological viewpoint A chapter is specially dedicated to the uniqueness of the so-called "Number Gangs", i.e. 28, 27, 26, 25, 24 and 23 gangs. Difierent aspects, such as their common origin, rituals and secrecy, are carefully described. In the discussion of the different Number gangs a large variety of secret information is exposed for the first time ever. The study concludes with some indicators for possible further research. Five Addenda serve to elucidate certain aspects of the contents. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

In hierdie studie word die ses Suid-Afrikaanse gevangenisbendes vergelyk met vyftien bendes uit oorsese lande of streke, tw. Amerika, Sentraal- en Suid Amerika, Kanada, Nieu Zeeland en Brittanje. As basis van vergelyking dien hul Oorsprong, Ontstaansdoel, Geslags- en Etniese samestelling, Eienskappe, Gesagstruktuur, Uitkenningstekens en Metodes van kommunikasie. Die verskillende bendes word ook vanuit Penologiese oogpunt beoordeel. `n Spesiale hoofstuk word gewy aan die uniekheid van die sogenaamde "Nommerbendes", tw. die 28, 27, 26, 25, 24 en 23 bendes. Verskeie aspekte soos die ontstaan, rituele en geheimhouding word volledig onder die soeklig geplaas. In die bespreking van die Nommerbendes word `n groot verskeidenheid geheime inligting vir die eerste maal geopenbaar. Die studie word afgesluit met enkele aanduidings van terreine wat roep om verdere navorsing. `n Vyftal bylaes dien om sekere aspekte van die navorsing en gevangenislewe verder toe te lig. / In this study the six South African prison gangs are compared to fifteen prison gangs from foreign countries, namely America, Central and South America, Canada, New Zealand and Britain. The comparison is based on their Origin, Original aim, Gender and Ethnic make-up, Characteristics, Authoritative structure, Gang identifiet·s and Methods of communication. The different gangs are then evaluated from Penological viewpoint A chapter is specially dedicated to the uniqueness of the so-called "Number Gangs", i.e. 28, 27, 26, 25, 24 and 23 gangs. Difierent aspects, such as their common origin, rituals and secrecy, are carefully described. In the discussion of the different Number gangs a large variety of secret information is exposed for the first time ever. The study concludes with some indicators for possible further research. Five Addenda serve to elucidate certain aspects of the contents. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)