D.Litt. et.Phil.

M.A. (Psychology) / The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the effect that Human Modelling in a group therapeutic setting, has on the mental health or personal integration of prisoners. The General Systems Theory, principles of Cybernetics and Botes' (1987) integrated model of mental health are used as a meta theoretic point of departure. From the literature study it transpires that it is important to explain and treat the prisoner in totality in order to make treatment more effective. An attempt is thus made to formulate an integrated model for the explanation of the crime phenomenon by virtue of already existing models. Furthermore the personal functioning (intra- and interpersonal) - as index of mental health of the criminal is surveyed. A short comparison is done between the traits of a mentally healthy person (Botes, 1987) and the personal functioning of the criminal or prisoner. From this it appears that the criminal has certain deficiencies in this regard and hence cannot be described as an integrated person once the traits are unbalanced. He thus requires guidance towards a higher degree of personal integration, which should lead to a change in traits and accordingly balance is restored. From the literature study it is evident that treatment of prisoners is to a large extent unsuccessful. The reasons for this are pointed out. Human Modelling in a group therapeutic setting however, has the potential to lead the prisoner towards a higher degree of personal integration, due to it's metaphoric and synthetic nature, and to make treatment more successful. The potential that Human Modelling as a metaphor holds for the therapist and mental health of the prisoner, is pointed out and described...

This dissertation addresses the developments of child justice in Botswana. The first ever child justice that was established is discussed with the aim to understand the influence it had on Botswana with regard to the nature of the proceedings and the founding principles of child justice and its application in the courts. International Conventions that have a bearing on the rights of children in Botswana, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice, the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty, the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child are discussed. The measures that are currently in place for the protection of children who are in conflict with the law are examined with particular emphasis on those children that are arrested and detained. A comparison is drawn between the Children’s Act CAP [28:04] OF 1981, the Children’s Act 8 of 2009 and the South African Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 and the differences between the systems are highlighted. The provisions of the 2009 Act pertaining to children in conflict with the law are discussed in depth and shortfalls of the 2009 Children’s Act are identified. Diversion, as a form of correctional action, is discussed in light of international conventions. The provisions regarding the diversion of child offenders in the Child Justice Act are interrogated. Trial procedures under the 2009 Children’s Act are discussed and compared to those in South Africa including measures in place for the sentencing child offenders in both Botswana and South Africa. After an analysis of the international conventions, legislation and case law, the conclusion is reached that there is a commitment in Botswana towards the protectionand realization of children’s rights especially those who are in conflict with the law. It is recommended in the conclusions that Botswana import some provisions of the Child Justice Act into domestic legislation in order to comprehensively address the plight of children in trouble with the law so as to strive towards maximum compliance with conventions that Botswana has signed.

This thesis involves a dual consideration of the applicability of prediction and follow-up studies to the New Haven Open Borstal program and the adequacy of officially recorded data for the execution of such studies. Follow-up studies would indicate the rate of successful rehabilitation obtained from the New Haven program. The development of prediction tables would facilitate the granting of parole on a more rational basis and would also provide a working prognosis for supervision on parole. An historical, survey of selected American and European prediction and follow-up studies was conducted to indicate their methodology, their increasing utility, and their applicability to the Borstal program in British Columbia, The information available within the files of New Haven and other related agencies was evaluated in order to determine its adequacy for prediction and follow-up studies. Data relating to criminality, vocational and economic status, family relationships, leisure time pursuits, and mental and physical health were considered in relation to the pre-institutional, institutional, parole and post-parole periods. The findings indicated that, while prediction and follow-up studies axe desirable within the New Haven setting, the available data may only be adequate for a specific and limited type of prediction study. The available data would have to be supplemented by information obtained directly from the ex-inmate if more comprehensive studies are to be conducted. A research unit that is an integral part of the correctional system and possesses an intimate knowledge of the total program could best execute these and other prospective studies. Through the initiation of prediction and follow-up studies, New Haven can best maintain its position in the vanguard of penal progress in British Columbia. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

The subject-matter of this study is a descriptive account of the prison forestry camp programme which was operative in the Kettle River district in British Columbia during the years 1951 to 1953. Perspective is given by examination of the origin and progress of the use of prison labour in general, and of prison labour projects in contemporary forestry camps. The British Columbia project is evaluated with particular emphasis on the programme as part of a rehabilitation process. The methods used in arriving at the conclusions found in the study have been those of comparison and analysis, by reference to (a) administration; (b) selection of inmates; (c) types of inmate, and (d) components of the programme. The positive and negative aspects of the programme have been evaluated as far as possible. The benefits which may be derived by inmates assigned to these camps include (a) improvement in physical and mental health from outdoor work and living, (b) experience in the camps which more closely resembles that of normal society. These help terminate a prisoner's sentence with a more acceptable re-introduction to community life. On the other hand, it is evident that there are many problems which can impede the operation of a programme of this nature, including a divided administration, untrained personnel and inadequate facilities and finances. The study suggests that these difficulties are not insurmountable, and recommendations are made which would further the success and value of such programmes. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

The effectiveness of programs intended to rehabilitate criminal offenders has been widely debated during the last decade. This thesis represents an attempt to evaluate the effects of education and training programs in particular, insofar as these effects have been measured in terms of recidivism.

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent a group of 88 subjects, who were sentenced to the Forest Camp in the early seventies, remained law abiding in the ten years which followed their release. In addition to analyzing recidivist patterns, the study attempted to identify which variables were associated with subsequent recidivist and non-recidivist behavior and relate those findings to previous studies in the literature.

Risk and needs assessments are actuarial based instruments that aim to evaluate an (1) offender’s risks including the risk of reoffending, (2) criminogenic needs so they can be targeted in treatment and (3) offender responsivity inclusive of the learning style, motivation, abilities and strengths of the offender (Andrews, Bonta and Wormith, 2011, 735). Since 2006, looking to Western nations as exemplars, the HK Security Bureau’s policy initiatives have introduced a Risk and Needs Assessment Protocol for all local young offenders, and local adult offenders with sentences of two years and above. But one has to question how the policy transfer applies here in Hong Kong. What can Hong Kong’s criminal justice policy makers and practitioners adapt from research conducted in Canada and the United States? Is there anything HK officials can learn from other jurisdictions, both in terms of experiences implementing risk needs tools and the wider socio-cultural context under which such implementation takes place? This study has provided some preliminary answers to these questions through critical analysis and expert interviews. Subsequent analysis on the definition of risk and need under the HK CSD’s protocol outlined a further need for a definition of the responsivity principle. Concerns over the content of responsivity enhancement programs along with its effects on the voluntary participation of young offenders were also discussed in this analysis. Since the initial consultancy was commissioned by the CSD in 2002 to empirically develop and refine the protocol, a follow up study was much needed to suggest improvements. This study has served to fulfill this goal by suggesting improvements in addressing class, gender and racial disparity along with suggestions on operational excellence. Specifically, interviews with leading Canadian risk assessment experts including criminologists and practitioners highlighted four main challenges and three main lessons for HK CSD to examine (p. 57-58). Interviews with Hong Kong risk/needs assessment experts including criminologist and HK CSD practitioners help provide clarification on the risk/need assessment process and how rehabilitative programs operate. Additional analysis on the risk/need assessment instrument used in Hong Kong along with an examination of the questions used by assessors was subsequently conducted. The result challenges the CSD’s Risks and Needs Assessment and Management Protocol for Offenders as a “scientific and evidence based approach to prison management and offender rehabilitation” (CSD Booklet, 201, 3). This conclusion is based on the many social assumptions made on offenders found in the assessment tool and ambiguous design of questions used to evaluate criminogenic need. / published_or_final_version / Criminology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences