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 / Thesis (D. Litt. et Phil. (Criminology))

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 / D. Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

Literature debates the success of rehabilitation programmes in recidivism of offenders. This dissertation explores the effect of rehabilitation programmes on sentenced offenders at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre (KSCC). Correctional centres offer various rehabilitation programmes with the aim of reducing recidivism and rehabilitating sentenced offenders. The study used a qualitative research design with semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate the perception of sentenced offenders changed from being negative to positive after completion of rehabilitation programmes and that rehabilitation programmes complement the reduction of recidivism. Gangsterism and the language medium was found to be a challenge to offender participation. Upon completion, the programmes were found to enhance offenders` chances of employment post-prison. The study recommends that programmes encourage rebuilding relationships and DCS improves their offered programmes to achieve the success of KSCC and recommends reinstating a credit system as incentive for participation, and a revision of the language of instruction used on these programmes. / Public Administration and Management / M.Admin. (Public Administration)

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))

When conducting research on crime, scholars are generally inclined to focus on the aetiology, hence our comprehension of biological and/or environmental factors as antecedents of crime. In this study, however, acknowledgement was given to ex-offenders who, once released from prison showed positive signs of disengagement from crime and posed the following questions: what are the lived experiences of ex-offenders who desist from crime and what are the reasons influencing their decisions to stop offending? Four adult male ex-offenders of African descent between the ages of 30 and 42 participated in the study. The researcher, inspired by his insider position as an ex-offender aimed to explore and describe the lived experiences of other ex-offenders who had stopped offending, or who were in the process of disengaging from crime. An interpretive phenomenological approach including three theories of criminal desistance were used to ground the study. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Results showed that the processes of criminal desistance are unique and contextual, particular rather than universal, and that change can be attributed to intra-individual factors facilitated by strong quality social bonds / Psychology / M.A. (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)

Text in English / South Africa has a high level of Crime and thus also has a high level of recidivism. The high rate of crime contributes to overcrowding in prison. The Department of Correctional Services has programmes for the offenders such as rehabilitation, parole, probation, re-entry and reintegration. These programmes are not effective to an extent that they are not changing the offenders’ behaviour. The qualitative aim of this study was to explore recidivism through the application of concepts and theories. The significant impact that rehabilitation, parole, re-entry, probation and reintegration exerted on recidivism cause more problems for the Department Correctional Services. Ineffectiveness of these programmes has a negative impact on the escalation of recidivism. The study revealed that programmes are not effective or adequate and that recidivism is the end-product. The recommendation from the study indicates that Correctional Services should encourage offenders to participate in these programmes. The department should also review policies on these programmes and align them with international standards. The study also recommended that more research needs to be conducted on recidivism in order to understand its impact into the community and Correctional Services. The recommendations on this study indicates that recidivists should have their own specific facilities and offenders that have committed different type of crimes be treated and offered a programme designed for a particular offender and not to use a “one size fits all” approach. / Corrections Management / M.A. (Corrections Management)

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the experiences of South African women prior to, during and after incarceration. The theoretical bases for this study include the general strain theory (GST), feminist pathways approach and Goffman’s “total institutions”. The study made use of a qualitative research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of twenty female ex-prisoners, who were selected using snowball sampling, to obtain information about their experiences during the periods indicated. The findings of the study indicated that, in respect of the three periods mentioned, the participants cited their experiences during incarceration as the most prominent as they tended to dwell more on this phase of their lives than any other phase. This is, in fact, not surprising as their narratives portrayed their lives behind bars as having been traumatic with far-reaching consequences for their lives after their incarceration. The study found that some of the participants had histories of emotional and physical abuse before their offending behaviours. It emerged that consensual same-sex sexual relationships between females in South African prisons exist and that these relationships are, sometimes, accepted by the family members of the female inmates. The participants reported that coercive sexual relationships also take place in female prisons in South Africa. It was also reported that the conditions under which females are incarcerated are, for the most part, deplorable. It emerged that the female prisoners use a unique monetary system which is based mainly on the trade by barter system. In addition, the findings revealed that female inmates often experience daunting challenges upon their release from prison, including high rates of unemployment, stigma and discrimination, family breakdown and the psychological effects of imprisonment, all of which often compound the resolve of some of the participants to live crime-free lives. / Sociology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Sociology)

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the experiences of South African women prior to, during and after incarceration. The theoretical bases for this study include the general strain theory (GST), feminist pathways approach and Goffman’s “total institutions”. The study made use of a qualitative research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of twenty female ex-prisoners, who were selected using snowball sampling, to obtain information about their experiences during the periods indicated. The findings of the study indicated that, in respect of the three periods mentioned, the participants cited their experiences during incarceration as the most prominent as they tended to dwell more on this phase of their lives than any other phase. This is, in fact, not surprising as their narratives portrayed their lives behind bars as having been traumatic with far-reaching consequences for their lives after their incarceration. The study found that some of the participants had histories of emotional and physical abuse before their offending behaviours. It emerged that consensual same-sex sexual relationships between females in South African prisons exist and that these relationships are, sometimes, accepted by the family members of the female inmates. The participants reported that coercive sexual relationships also take place in female prisons in South Africa. It was also reported that the conditions under which females are incarcerated are, for the most part, deplorable. It emerged that the female prisoners use a unique monetary system which is based mainly on the trade by barter system. In addition, the findings revealed that female inmates often experience daunting challenges upon their release from prison, including high rates of unemployment, stigma and discrimination, family breakdown and the psychological effects of imprisonment, all of which often compound the resolve of some of the participants to live crime-free lives. / Sociology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Sociology)

Text in English, with abstracts and keywords in English, Sesotho and Afrikaans / The purpose of the study was to investigate and explore how rehabilitation and wellness of juvenile offenders in selected South African correctional schools can be promoted. A wellness model that can be used to promote the wellness of juvenile offenders was proposed based on the findings of the study. The researcher used the wellness, ubuntu and bio-ecological theories as theoretical frameworks to guide the study. These theories helped the researcher to understand how the promotion of wellness among juvenile offenders can facilitate effective rehabilitation and, ultimately, offender reintegration into society. The interpretive paradigm was employed to understand the experiences and views of juveniles as well as teachers and heads of schools who were directly involved in the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. The study used the qualitative research method in which open-ended questionnaires were used to collect data from juveniles and teachers whereas semi-structured interviews were to collect data from heads of schools. Participants were purposefully selected to ensure relevant data was gathered. Twenty-one juveniles, twelve teachers and seven heads of schools took part in the study. Participants were drawn from four provinces and seven schools. Data were analysed qualitatively through coding, categorising and developing themes. Themes that developed from data interpretation were used as headings for the findings in each wellness dimension. Themes that developed from the study revealed that schools were making a great effort to promote the wellness of juvenile offenders. Great strides were made especially in promoting the wellness of juvenile offenders through the involvement of different stakeholders although this was inadequate. Schools were facing challenges such as lack of resources, shortage of skilled personnel as well as inadequate stakeholder involvement. The research proposed a wellness model that is holistic in nature to help teachers and other stakeholders involved in juvenile offender rehabilitation to promote their social, physical, emotional, spiritual, career and intellectual wellness. / Mohola wago bala e be e le go aga lenaneo leo le ka šomišwago ke barutisi le batho ba bangwe mo thekgong ya bana bao ba lego dikolong tsa kgolego (dihlokatsebe). Lenaneo le mohola wa lona ke go dira gore bana ba ba sa hlokomeleng melao ya setšhaba ba bušetšwe gore ba kgone go boela go setšhaba. Basekaseki ba šomiša go hlokomela botho le tša tlhago go tlhatlha dithuto tša bona. Dikakanyo tse di dirišeditšwe go dihloka tsebe le barutiši le dihlogo tša dikolo bao ba bego ba ruta bana ba. Thuto ye e šomišitšwe ke ya maemo a godimo moo go šomišitšwego dipotšišo tšeo di se nago phetolo e tee go hwetša kakanyo ya dihlokatsebe le barutiši. Fela mo gongwe go be go dirišwa dipotšišo go dihlogo tsa sekolo. Bao ba bego ba botšišwa ba be ba kgethilwe gabotse goba go lekaleka gore dikarabo e be tša maleba. Masomepedi a dihlokatsebe, barutiši bašupa le dihlogo tsa sekolo ba ile ba šomišwa go dithuto tše. Bao ba kgethilwego ba be ba tšwa di provensing tše nne le dikolong tše šupa tša kgolego. Dikašišo di ile tša sekasekwa gabotse ka maemo a godimo go šomišwa dinomoro, peakanyo le gore ba kgone go aga maikemišetšo a motheo wo. Motheo wo o agilwe go tšwa go dikakišišo gore re hwetše hlokomelo ya dihlokatsebe. Metheo ye e šomišitšwego e bontšhitse gore dikolong tša dihlokatsebe bana ba be ba latela molao. Gobe go šomišwa le kago ya mmele, go tsošološwa moyeng ya di hlokatsebe go šomišwa batho kamoka. Dikolo di ile tša ba le bothata mo go godišeng dihlokatsebe. Yengwe ya bothata e be e le go hlokega ga dišomišwa le batho bao ba hlahlilwego go ruta dihlokatsebe tše mola gape go be go se na batho bao ba nago le kgahlego. Basekaseki ba ile ba tla le seka sa go hlokomela dihlokatsebe ka go felela le go thuša barutiši le batho bao ba lebanego le dihlokatsebe. Gore go godišwe kgwerano, go godišwe go aga ga mmele, go aga tsošološo ya semoya, go ba aga gore ba be le seo ba kgonago le go aga le go godiša menagano ya bona le tša mešomo. / Die doel van die studie was om ’n welstandsmodel te ontwikkel wat gebruik kan word deur onderwysers en relevante belanghebbendes in die bevordering van die welstand van jeugdige oortreders in korrektiewe skole. Die model beoog om te verseker dat jeugdige oortreders doelftreffend gerehabiliteer word en gereed is vir herintegrering in die samelewing. Die navorser het die welstand, ubuntu en bio-ekologiese teorieë as teoretiese raamwerke gebruik om die studie te lei. Hierdie teorieë het die navorser gehelp om te verstaan het die promosie van welstand onder jeugdige oortreders doeltreffende rehabilitasie kan fasiliteer en uiteindelik, oortreders in die samelewing te herstel. Die uitleggende paradigma is aangewend in ’n poging om die ervarings en sienings van die jeugdiges, onderwysers en hoofde van skole wie direk betrokke in die rehabilitasie van jeugdige oortreders is te verstaan. Die studie maak gebruik van die kwalitatiewe navorsings-benadering, waar ope vrae gebruik is om data van jeugdiges en onderwysers te versamel, terwyl semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude gebruik is om data van die hoofde van skole te kry. Deelnemers was opsetlik geselekteer om te verseker dat geskikte data versamel is. Een- en twintig jeugdiges, twaalf onderwysers en sewe hoofde van skole het aan die studie deelgeneem. Deelnemers is uit vier provinsies en sewe skole gekies. Data is kwalitatief ontleed deur kodering, kategorisering en ontwikkeling van temas wat gebruik is as opskrifte vir die bevindings onder elke welstands-dimensie. Die ontwikkelde temas het bewys dat skole moeite gedoen het om die welstand van jeugdige oortreders te bevorder. Daar was groot vordering, veral in die bevordering van die fisiese en spirituele welstand van jeugdige oortreders deur die betrokkenheid van verskillende belanghebbendes. Skole het verskillende uitdagings in die gesig gestaar in hul pogings om die welstand van jeugdige oortreders te handhaaf. Sommige van die uitdagings was ’n tekort aan hulpbronne, geskoolde personeel sowel as onvoldoende betrokkenheid van belanghebbendes. Die navorsing stel ’n holisties welstandsmodel voor om onderwysers en ander belanghebbendes te help wat betrokke raak in die rehabilitasie van jeugdige oortreders en bevordering van hul sosiale, fisiese, emosionele, spirituele,loopbaan en intellektuele welstand. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Psychology)