This study examines offender assessment from a criminological perspective. International and national research findings, as well as the Canadian (Level of Service Inventory - Revised, LSRI-R) and the British (Offender Assessment System, OASys) offender assessment structures, are used as guidelines to illustrate the practice of offender assessment. Offender needs and risk assessment targets are examined and highlighted for general (non-specific) as well as sex and other violent offenders. A qualitative research design, supported by explanatory, descriptive and exploratory goals, directs the methodology of this research project. Important assessment tools, such as interviewing, observation, document analysis and the application of theoretical explanations are used to assess and analyse four selected case studies (adult male offenders). These case studies are representative of the different dimensions of offender assessment, namely classification, intervention, risk management and pre-parole assessment. The offenders are individually assessed, analysed and evaluated to determine among other factors, the origin, onset, contributory factors, triggers, high-risk situations, and intervention indicators that can assist custodial therapists and the prison authorities with a more focused approach to the rehabilitation and management of offenders. Each case study is also supported by a theoretical explanation. This highlights the key role, function and contribution of criminologists in corrections, as well as the importance of a multi-fold perspective in the rehabilitation and correction of criminal behaviour. / Criminology and Security Science / Thesis (D. Litt. et Phil. (Criminology))

Text in English / While correctional centres are often associated with men, there is an increasing number of incarcerated women who have rehabilitation needs that are specific to their gender. Historically correctional centres have responded through offering rehabilitative programmes that stereotyped women offenders into socially constructed gender roles. Using a feminist criminology framework, the current study aimed to explore the subjective inner experience and meaning given by women classified as maximum security offenders to the rehabilitation processes in the Johannesburg Correctional Centre. Data was collected from 18 incarcerated women who are and were once classified as maximum offenders. A narrative analysis was used in understanding the data from the interviews. Women’s narratives in the current study reflect unique and common experiences with rehabilitation in the correctional centre. Being a maximum security offender presents a challenge of further perceived discrimination, alienation and isolation amongst women who describe limited involvement in rehabilitation as a result of this identity. Also highlighted in the study are challenges in implementing gender sensitive programming in a penal system infused with power dynamics; a discipline and punish narrative; patriarchy; binary view of gender and ethnocentrism. A continued reinforcement of traditional structures, systems and practices that seek to perpetuate gendered form of existence is also evident in the current study. Therefore, a need for the reformation of the correctional centre context and culture is suggested so as to respond in a manner that is not only gender sensitive, but also inclusive enough in recognising both in theory and in practice, the various locations of inequality in society that influence female criminality. The principle of Ubuntu demonstrated through caring, compassion and hospitability which empowers and edifies the other person through interrelatedness is one of the promising initiatives that can guide correctional centres and society in the implementation of gender sensitive programmes, while paying attention to the socio-cultural dynamics that influence women’s pathways to crime. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / Gevangenis oorbevolking is ʼn probleem waarmee die Suid-Afrikaanse korrektiewe stelsel reeds vir baie jare worstel. Suid-Afrika is een van die lande met die hoogste gevangenis bevolking in die wêreld. Een van die grootste probleme wat tot die situasie bydra, is die aantal oortreders wat nie in staat is om borg te betaal nie. ʼn Ander probleem is die aantal verhoorafwagtendes wat in aanhouding is. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Witskrif van die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste, is vasberade om die rehabilitering van die oortreder te bevorder. Die fokus van die studie wentel om die rehabilitasie van die oortreder en die vraag of hierdie doelwit binne die korrektiewe stelsel haalbaar is. Heelwat klem word op die noodsaaklikheid van alternatiewe vonnisse geplaas asook rehabilitasie as strafoogmerk tydens vonnisoplegging. Dit is die navorser se mening dat die korrektiewe stelsel nie die geskikste plek is vir die rehabilitering van die oortreder nie. / Criminology and Security Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

This study focuses on the experiences of teachers in addressing the academic wellness of juvenile offender learners in the Correctional Centre. The main aim was to explore and understand the experiences of teachers in addressing the academic wellness of juvenile offender learners in a Correctional Centre School. In order to achieve this aim, the researcher used Bronfenbrenner’s eco-systemic theory (1977) and the Wellness theory by Hettler (1980) as a theoretical framework. The study was conducted at one of the Correctional Centres in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Purposive sampling was used, and two Correctional School teachers were selected. The study was qualitative in nature, embedded within an interpretive paradigm and used a phenomenological approach. After ethical measures were addressed, data were collected using the semi-structured interviews (Henning, Van Rensburg & Smit, 2004). The findings revealed that teachers implemented effective teaching strategies towards the enrichment of the academic wellness of the juvenile offenders in the Correctional Centre. Teachers indicated that there are barriers to learning in the Correctional School. Level of literacy and numeracy skills are low among juvenile offender learners. Some learners are not interested in learning and they have poor educational background. However, teachers revealed from the findings that indicate that effective schooling rehabilitates and could lower recidivism. An additional theme indicated that learning and teaching support materials (LTSM) are not adequately available. Moreover, teachers need empowerment and development in the Correctional setting and to be equipped or skilled adequately on necessary knowledge to handle special school environment and its challenges. Recommendation was made that to enhance and improve juvenile offender learners’ academic wellness, ample time spent during lock-up should instead be allocated to the Correctional School, be used efficiently and effectively. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Research into unit management in prisons was necessitated by a need to change the way in which South Africa deals with prisoners. The lack of respect for human dignity, poor control in prisons before and after demilitarisation and the need to reduce crime in South Africa are some of the reasons why the study became important. Topics addressed include the role of architecture in corrections, direct supervision to enhance active custody, renewed emphasis on individuals by means of case management and decentralised delivery of development and treatment programmes. Apart from the aspects mentioned above, the philosophy of unit management is spelled out. Imprisonment in countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Africa and the United States of America is discussed against the background of the unit management philosophy. During any process of incarceration, documentation forms an integral part of the process. In this study, the researcher discussed those documents that could play an important role in unit management. The importance of unit management in prisons cannot be overemphasised. The investigation contributes largely to scientific knowledge in that the importance of sentence planning for each individual within the Criminal Justice System is emphasised. Individual case plans, active involvement from both the inmate and the correctional official and the positive role of prison design are aspects that should form part of all new generation prison systems. / Penology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

Au Canada, les Commissions d'Examen des Troubles Mentaux de chaque province ont la responsabilité de déterminer les conditions de prise en charge des personnes déclarées Non Criminellement Responsables pour cause de Troubles Mentaux (NCRTM) et de rendre, sur une base annuelle une des trois décisions suivantes: a) détention dans un hôpital, b) libération conditionnelle, ou c) libération absolue. Pour favoriser la réinsertion sociale, la libération conditionnelle peut être ordonnée avec la condition de vivre dans une ressource d’hébergement dans la communauté. Parmi les personnes vivant avec une maladie mentale, l’accès aux ressources d’hébergement a été associé à une plus grande stabilité résidentielle, une réduction de nombre et de la durée de séjours d'hospitalisation ainsi qu’une réduction des contacts avec le système judiciaire. Toutefois, l’accès aux ressources d’hébergement pour les personnes trouvées NCRTM est limité, en partie lié à la stigmatisation qui entoure cette population. Il existe peu d’études qui traitent du placement en ressources d’hébergement en psychiatrie légale. Pour répondre à cette question, cette thèse comporte trois volets qui seront présentés dans le cadre de deux manuscrits: 1) évaluer le rôle du placement en ressources d’hébergement sur la réhospitalisation et la récidive chez les personnes trouvées NCRTM; 2) décrire les trajectoires de disposition et de placement en ressources d’hébergement, et 3) mieux comprendre les facteurs associés à ces trajectoires. Les données de la province du Québec du Projet National de Trajectoires d’individus trouvés NCRTM ont été utilisées. Un total de 934 personnes trouvées NCRTM entre le 1er mai 2000 et le 30 avril 2005 compose cet échantillon. Dans le premier manuscrit, l’analyse de survie démontre que les individus placés dans un logement indépendant suite à une libération conditionnelle de la Commission d’Examen sont plus susceptibles de commettre une nouvelle infraction et d’être ré-hospitalisés que les personnes en ressources d’hébergement. Dans le deuxième article, l'analyse de données séquentielle a généré quatre modèles statistiquement stables de trajectoires de disposition et de placement résidentiel pour les 36 mois suivant un verdict de NCRTM: 1) libération conditionnelle dans une ressource d’hébergement (11%), 2) libération conditionnelle dans un logement autonome (32%), 3) détention (43%), et 4) libération absolue (14%). Une régression logistique multinomiale révèle que la probabilité d'un placement en ressource supervisée comparé au maintien en détention est significativement réduite pour les personnes traitées dans un hôpital spécialisé en psychiatrie légale, ainsi que pour ceux ayant commis un délit sévère. D'autre part, la probabilité d’être soumis à des dispositions moins restrictives (soit le logement indépendant et la libération absolue) est fortement associée à des facteurs cliniques tels qu’un nombre réduit d'hospitalisations psychiatriques antérieures, un diagnostic de trouble de l'humeur et une absence de diagnostic de trouble de la personnalité. Les résultats de ce projet doctoral soulignent la valeur protectrice des ressources en hébergement pour les personnes trouvées NCRTM, en plus d’apporter des arguments solides pour une gestion de risque chez les personnes trouvées NCRTM qui incorpore des éléments contextuels de prévention du risque, tel que l’accès à des ressources d’hébergement. / In Canada, Provincial and Territorial Review Boards are mandated to evaluate the risk and custody decisions about individuals found Not Criminally Responsible on Account of Mental Disorder (NCRMD) and render one of three dispositions: (a) custody, (b) conditional discharge, or (c) absolute discharge. To promote community reintegration, conditional discharge can be ordered with the condition to live in supportive housing. Among individuals living with a mental illness, supportive housing in the community has been associated with increased housing stability, reduced number and length of hospitalization and reduced involvement with the criminal justice system. However, NCRMD accused face great barriers to housing access as a result of the stigma associated with the forensic label. To date, there is little information regarding the housing placement for the forensic mentally ill individuals, such as those found NCRMD. In order to address the dearth of literature on supportive housing for the forensic population, the goal of the present thesis is threefold and addressed through two manuscripts: 1) to evaluate of the role of housing placement on rehospitalization and recidivism among individuals found NCRMD; 2) to describe the disposition and housing placement trajectories of individuals found NCRMD, and 3) to explore the factors that predict such trajectories. Data from the Québec sample of the National Trajectory Project of individuals found NCRMD were used. A total of 934 individuals found NCRMD between May 1st 2000 and April 30th 2005 comprise this sample. In the first paper, survival analyses showed that individuals placed in independent housing following conditional discharge from the Review Board were more likely to be convicted of a new offense and to be readmitted for psychiatric treatment compared with individuals residing in supportive housing. In the second paper, sequential data analysis resulted in four distinct trajectories: 1) conditional discharge in supportive housing (11%), 2) conditional discharge in independent housing (32%), 3) detention in hospital (43%) and 4) absolute discharge (14%). A multinomial logistic regression revealed that the likelihood of a placement in supportive housing compared to being detained significantly decreased for individuals treated in a forensic hospital, as well as those with an increased index offense severity. On the other hand, less restrictive disposition trajectories (i.e. independent housing and absolute discharge) were significantly influenced by clinical factors such as reduced number of prior psychiatric hospitalizations, a diagnosis of mood disorder and an absence of a comorbid personality disorder diagnosis. The findings from this study point to the protective value that supportive housing can have on the community outcomes of forensic patients, and provides solid arguments for the development of a management strategy that incorporates contextual factors such as supportive housing.

This thesis is concentrated on the detection and evaluation of views and experience of the institutions active in criminal procedure, namely the representatives of district courts, district prosecutions, municipal police departments of the Czech Republic and the Penitentiary of the Czech Republic. Furthermore, it deals with the position of the Probation and Mediation Service in the Czech legal system and its integration into criminal justice system. This domain is examined under three defined indicators: abbreviation of procedure, decrease of prison population and the impact of the social work implementation in justice on the offender resocialization. The investigated area was selected on the basis of study practices executed in the Probation and Mediation Service departments in Jablonec na Nisou and in Liberec, in the Prison Rýnovice and also partly by reading of expert essays, in which the results of researches concentrated on these areas are evaluated very contrarily. To achieve the objectives of the study was used a case study on probation centers in Jablonec nad Nisou and Liberec, the results were compared with a nationwide questionnaire survey.

Thèse de doctorat présenté en vue de l'obtention du doctorat en psychologie - recherche intervention, option psychologie clinique (Ph.D) / Evaluating treatment programs specialized in treating sexual offenders and reducing recidivism, especially sexual recidivism, is of great importance to the general public and policy makers because of the many physical and psychological consequences these crimes have on the victims and their families. The present study evaluated the changes that occurred in moderate to high risk sexual offenders who followed a specialized community treatment program. In order to accomplish this, gains during treatment and their ability to predict lower recidivism rates was examined using three different methods of measurement: risk assessment, self-reports, and phallometric testing. Change scores were derived from the Stable-2007 and its three dimensions (i.e., antisociality, sexual deviance, and hypersexuality); the Molest and Rape Scale; the Sexual Interest Cardsort Questionnaire; and phallometric testing. Measures were administered pre- and posttreatment in a sample of 105 adult male sexual offenders with adult and child victims. Recidivism data were obtained from official criminal records. The average follow-up period for participants was of 12 years postrelease. Findings were indicative of significant positive changes in dynamic risk factors as measured by the Stable-2007 and its three dimensions; in PSIs as measured by the Sexual Interest Cardsort Questionnaire and phallometric testing; but not in cognitive distortions as measured by the Molest and Rape Scale. The majority of change scores were non significantly associated with reductions in sexual, violent, or general recidivism after controlling for pretreatment and static risk. Comparing the different methods of measurement in their ability to capture changes and predict recidivism was unable to be done due to the lack of significant results. The following study is only the second to examine treatment change on the Stable-2007 and its relationship to recidivism, and the first examining treatment change in its three different dimensions. Although the program seemed to be effective in reducing certain dynamic risk factors, the relationships between treatment change and lower recidivism rates, especially sexual recidivism remains unclear. More studies examining treatment change on specific dynamic risk factors using different measures are needed to establish more comprehensive conclusions about which dynamic risk factors are more susceptible to change and most effective if reducing recidivism rates. / L’évaluation des traitements visant la réduction des taux de récidives, surtout sexuelle, chez les agresseurs sexuels est un sujet de grande importance due aux conséquences physiques et psychologiques que ces crimes ont sur les victimes et leurs familles. Pour ces raisons, la présente étude avait comme objectif principal d’évaluer des changements suivant la participation d’un programme de traitement en communauté spécialisé dans le traitement d’agresseur sexuel à risque et aux besoins modérés à élevés. Pour accomplir ceci, les gains acquis sur différents facteurs de risques dynamiques et leurs capacités de prédire la récidive ont été examinés. Les gains ont été mesurés en utilisant une échelle d’évaluation du risque dynamique de récidive, des questionnaires auto-rapportées et des évaluations phallométriques. La Stable-2007 et ses trois dimensions (c.-à-d. antisocial, déviance sexuelle, et hypersexualité) ont été utilisées pour mesurer plusieurs facteurs de risques dynamiques, le Molest and Rape Scale ont été utilisés pour mesurer les distorsions cognitives, et le Sexual Interest Cardsort Questionnaire et l’évaluation phallométrique ont été utilisés pour mesurer les intérêts sexuels paraphiliques. Toutes les mesures ont été administrées pré et posttraitement à 105 agresseurs sexuels avec des victimes soit adultes et/ou enfants ayant complété le programme de traitement. Les données de récidives ont été obtenues des dossiers criminels officiels avec une période de suivi moyenne de 12 ans. Suite à la complétion du programme de traitement, il y a eu des gains significatifs sur les facteurs de risque dynamiques mesurés par la Stable-2007 et ses trois dimensions, et sur les intérêts sexuels paraphiliques mesurés par le Sexual Interest Cardsort Questionnaire et l’évaluation phallométrique. Cependant, aucune amélioration n’a été trouvée pour les distorsions cognitives. En examinant la relation prédictive entre les gains sur ces mesures et les taux de récidives, la majorité des changements positifs n’étaient pas significativement associés à des réductions de taux de récidive sexuel, violent et général, après avoir contrôlé pour le risque prétraitement et statique. Due aux résultats non-significatives, la capacité des différentes mesures à identifier des changements et prédire la récidive n’a pas pu être comparé. Cette étude est la deuxième étude examinant des changements pré à posttraitement sur la Stable-2007 et la première à examiner ses changements sur les trois dimensions de la Stable-2007. Même si le programme de traitement évalué semble être capable de produire des changements positifs dans certains facteurs de risque dynamiques, la relation entre ces gains et leurs capacités de prédire des taux plus bas de récidives reste contradictoire et incertaine. Plus d’études examinant les gains sur des facteurs risques dynamiques spécifiques en utilisant différentes mesures sont nécessaires avant de pouvoir vraiment établir les facteurs dynamiques les plus susceptibles à changer et prédire des taux de récidive plus bas.

Current research indicates an association between intense adolescent work (twenty hours or more per week) and delinquent behavior. It has been widely speculated that this relationship is spurious, occurring only as a result of other factors which are common to both offending and intense employment. The current study attempts to fill a gap in the literature by utilizing the Pathways to Desistance dataset to examine the evolution of the relationship between work and self-reported offending in a longitudinal sample of juvenile offenders. Work intensity and consistency, social capital, and expectations for success were analyzed as potential predictors of recidivism or desistance as juvenile offenders mature into adulthood. Variations in the significance of these variables throughout the first seven waves of data collection were examined from the life course perspective. Results provide support for the theory of age graded social control and suggest that high risk youth self-select into intensive work roles as adolescents. No statistically significant differences in lifetime offending were found between respondents across varying levels of work intensity.

Abstract in English, Venda and Tsonga / Released prisoners in Kenya have a 75% likelihood of committing another crime and a 50% probability of going to jail two years after their discharge from prison custody. From the trend of recidivism in Kenya, there are a staggeringly high number of offenders being incarcerated and eventually released back to the community, and the high risk of re-arrest and reincarceration is a concern for policymakers, criminologists and correctional managers. This study examined the influence of offender characteristics, offender reintegration and community perception and attitude regarding recidivism in Kakamega County, Kenya. The study adopted a survey research design. Findings reveal a statistically significant relationship between offender characteristics and recidivism. In addition, offender reintegration and community perception and attitude towards offenders greatly influence recidivism. From the study, it is recommended that the government provide correctional officers with the required resources to use the actuarial risk assessment model. The model is applied to the released offenders to predict the future probability of recidivism. In addition, it is recommended that the government and the various correctional stakeholders come up with an integrated approach that specifically targets successful re-entry of offenders upon release from prison. Finally, it is recommended that the government develop programmes targeting awareness of the community members to desist from stigmatising ex-offenders. / Vhafariwa vho vhofhololwaho ngei Kenya vha na khonadzeo ya 75% ya u ita vhuṅwe vhutshinyi na 50% ya khonadzeo ya u ya dzhele miṅwaha mivhili nga murahu ha u bva tshiṱokisini. U bva kha nzulele ya u tshinya fhafhu ngei Kenya, hu na u mangadza huhulwane ha tshivhalo tshi re nṱha tsha vhatshinyi vha re dzhele vhane vha fhedzisela vho vhofhololelwa murahu kha tshitshavha, khohakhombo khulwane ya u dovha u farwa hafhu na u valelwa hafhu dzhele zwi vhilaedzisa vhabveledzi vha mbekanyamaitele, vhaḓivhi vha zwa vhutshinyi na vhalanguli vha vhululamisi. Ngudo i ṱola ṱhuṱhuwedzo ya zwiṱaluli zwa mutshinyi, mbuedzedzo ya mutshinyi na zwine tshitshavha tsha mudzhiisa zwone na vhuvha zwi tshi ya kha u tshinya hafhu kha Dzingu ḽa Kakamega, Kenya. Ngudo yo shumisa tsedzuluso ya pulane yo dzudzanywaho ya ṱhoḓisiso. Mawanwa o dzumbulula tshivhalo tsha vhushaka ha ndeme vhukati ha zwiṱaluli zwa mutshinyi na u tshinya hafhu. U ḓadzisa khazwenezwo, mbuedzedzo y mutshinyi na zwine tshitshavha tsha mudzhiisa zwone na vhuvha zwi tshi ya kha vhatshinyi zwi ṱuṱuwedza nga huhulu u tshinya hafhu. U bva kha ngudo, hu themendelwa uri muvhuso u ṋetshedze vhaofisiri vha ndulamiso zwiko zwine zwa ṱoḓea u shumisa tshiedziso tsha u ṱola khohakhombo tsha vhukuma. Tshiedziso tshi shumiswa u vhofholola vhafariwa u humbulela khonadzeo ya vhumatshelo ya u tshinyahafhu. U ḓadzisa kha zwenezwo, hu themendelwa uri muvhuso na vhadzhiamukovhe vho fhambanaho vha vhululamisi vha ḓe na kuitele kwo ṱanganelaho kwo livhiswaho tshoṱhe kha u dzhena hafhu ha vhatshinyi musi vha tshi tou bva dzhele. Tsha u fhedzisela, hu themendelwa uri muvhuso u bveledzise mbekanyamushumo dzo livhiswaho kha u tsivhudza miraḓo ya tshitshavha u sa i sa phanḓa na u fara vhatshinyi vha kale nga nḓila i si yavhuḓi. / Vakhotsiwa lava tshunxiwaka eKenya va na 75% wa ntolovelo wa leswo va nga endla vugevenga byin’wana na 50% ta nkoteko wa ku ya ejele nakambe endzhaku ka ku tshunxiwa ka vona ejele. Kusuka eka ntolovelo wa ku vuyelela ku endla vugevenga nakambe eKenya, ku na nhlayo ya le henhla hindlela yo hlamarisa ya vaonhi lava va nga eku pfaleriweni ekhotsweni naswona endzhaku ka swona va tshunxiwa ku vuyela eka tindhawu ta vaaki, naswona ku na nxungeto wa le henhla wa ku khomiwa nakambe na ku pfaleriwa ekhotsweni nakambe hi vuntshwa, leswi i xivileriso eka vaendlatipholisi, vativi hi swa vugevenga na vafambisi va makhotso. Ndzavisisadyondzo lowu wu kambele nhlohlotelo wa swihlawulekisi swa vaonhi, ku hlanganisa nakambe vaonhi na vanhu eka tindhawu ta vaakandhawu na mavonelo na maehleketelo ya vaakandhawu hi mayelana na ku vuyelela ka swigevenga ku endla vugevenga eka Xifundza xa Kakamega, eKenya. Ndzavisisadyondzo lowu wu tirhise dizayini ya ndzavisiso wa mbalango ku nga survey research design. Leswi kumiweke swi paluxe vuxaka bya le henhla hindlela ya tinhlayonhlayo exikarhi ka swihlawulekisi swa vaonhi na vuyelelo bya ku endla vugevenga nakambe. Na le henhla ka sweswo, ku hlanganisa hi vuntshwa vaonhi na vaakandhawu nakambe hi vuntshwa na mavonelo na maehleketelo ya vaakandhawu eka vaonhi swi hlohlotela swinene vuyelelo bya ku endla vugevenga nakambe. Kusuka eka ndzavisisadyondzo, ku bumabumeriwa leswaku mfumo wu nyika vaofisiri va makhotso swipfuno leswi lavekaka ku tirhisa modlolo wa nhlahluvo wa nxungeto wa xiakichuwari ku nga actuarial risk assessment model. Modlolo lowu wu tirhisiwa eka vaonhi lava tshunxiweke ku vhumba nkoteko wa nkarhi lowu taka wa vuyelelo bya vugevenga nakambe. Ku tlhela nakambe ku bumabumeriwa leswaku mfumo na vakhomaxiave va makhotso vo hambanahambana va va na endlelo leri hlanganisiweke leri kongomisiwaka ngopfungopfu ku humeleka kahle ka ku vuyela ka vaonhi eka tindhawu ta vaaki loko vaonhi va tshunxiwa ekhotsweni. Xo hetelela, ku bumabumeriwa leswaku mfumo wu endla minongonoko leyi kongomisiweke eka vulemukisi bya vaakandhawu leswaku va tshika ku nyenyemuka khale ka vaonhi lava a va khotsiwile. / Corrections Management / Ph. D. (Criminal Justice)