For now several years, many researchers have emphasized the importance and effectiveness of parole in the reintegration process of offenders, especially in reducing recidivism rates. A review of the existing literature revealed that, although little was known about conditional release decision-making in general, there was a flagrant lack of scientific knowledge pertaining to conditional release decisions regarding women offenders incarcerated in Canada. Using a constructionist theoretical framework and qualitative thematic analysis, this research aimed to understand which “factors” were documented by the Parole Board of Canada’s (PBC) Board members in their written parole decisions for federally incarcerated women in Canada who were serving a sentence of five years or more, between 2005 and 2015. The findings ultimately showed that, despite the implementation of more stringent government policies based on risk management, the PBC’s Board members seem to have retained their concern of promoting the reintegration of women offenders in their parole decisions. The analysis revealed that the Board members have indeed continued to place great emphasis on the women’s potential for change through a discretionary assessment of their dynamic factors. This seemingly more reintegrative vision nevertheless remains marked by the risk management approach, which raises questions about the way Board members interpret and evaluate the specific needs of the women and their potential for reintegration.

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One of the fundamental objectives of the criminal justice system in any country is to punish, rehabilitate, deter, incapacitate and reintegrate offenders into communities. The main motive of punishment therefore is to transform criminals into responsible and law-abiding citizens. Parole is acknowledged as an internationally accepted mechanism that allows for the conditional release of offenders from correctional centres into the community and forms one of the most important components of the criminal justice system value chain. The release of the offenders on parole therefore, does not negate the objectives of punishment but entrenches them through setting conditions by which all parolees must abide by. In other words, all offenders released on parole are supervised at all times by parole officials within their communities to ensure that they comply with their conditions. It is for this function- to grant parole to offenders, that the parole boards have been established in different countries. The Department of Correctional Services in South Africa has adopted the independent model of parole which provides for the parole boards that are headed by independent members from the public appointed by the Minister of Correctional Services. Parole is administered by the parole boards and has, as one of its main functions the release of offenders based on their eligibility. The absence of the performance management system for the parole board makes parole board decision making less transparent and government accountability difficult to establish. Performance management systems have been used to strengthen good governance. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the design of a model of performance management of the parole boards in the Department of Correctional Services in South Africa. / Penology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

One of the fundamental objectives of the criminal justice system in any country is to punish, rehabilitate, deter, incapacitate and reintegrate offenders into communities. The main motive of punishment therefore is to transform criminals into responsible and law-abiding citizens. Parole is acknowledged as an internationally accepted mechanism that allows for the conditional release of offenders from correctional centres into the community and forms one of the most important components of the criminal justice system value chain. The release of the offenders on parole therefore, does not negate the objectives of punishment but entrenches them through setting conditions by which all parolees must abide by. In other words, all offenders released on parole are supervised at all times by parole officials within their communities to ensure that they comply with their conditions. It is for this function- to grant parole to offenders, that the parole boards have been established in different countries. The Department of Correctional Services in South Africa has adopted the independent model of parole which provides for the parole boards that are headed by independent members from the public appointed by the Minister of Correctional Services. Parole is administered by the parole boards and has, as one of its main functions the release of offenders based on their eligibility. The absence of the performance management system for the parole board makes parole board decision making less transparent and government accountability difficult to establish. Performance management systems have been used to strengthen good governance. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the design of a model of performance management of the parole boards in the Department of Correctional Services in South Africa. / Penology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

The rationale of this research is to present a scientifically founded comparative study regarding parole. The comparisons are summarised on a theoretical and fundamental basis regarding: Release on parole:: A Penological Comparative Study, in order to highlight the diverse approaches to parole by certain countries. In this study the statutary and policy making management methodology of parole by correctional systems and parole boards is couched in an overview of literature, using the historical development of parole as the general point of departure. Countries included in the research are, the United States of America, Australia and Britain with specific reference to Alabama, New York, Georgia, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australië respectively The overview of literature and concommittant empirical investigation, defines and discusses specific and relevant legislation that culminates in the operationalisation and management of the granting of parole. The contemporary operationalisation applicable to the re-integration and treatment of the offender in the community is discussed and the reality in the practical exercise of supervision and control over the offender on parole, is also incorporated into this study. It is clearly discernable in the study that the South African parole system is based on international trends in which important influences emmanate from Australia and the United States of America During considerations regarding parole natural justice as a fundamental right of an offender is considered in light of the audi alteram partem rule. / Penology / D. Litt et Phil. (Penology)

The purpose of Parole Supervision is in twofold, namely: ... The successful reintegration of the offender to the community; and ... The protection of the community against further criminal behaviour by parolees. The Department of Correctional Services endeavours to achieve the above mentioned objectives through stringent placement criteria and individualized parole conditions, and intensive supervision by surveillance officials of community corrections and volunteers. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

The rationale of this research is to present a scientifically founded comparative study regarding parole. The comparisons are summarised on a theoretical and fundamental basis regarding: Release on parole:: A Penological Comparative Study, in order to highlight the diverse approaches to parole by certain countries. In this study the statutary and policy making management methodology of parole by correctional systems and parole boards is couched in an overview of literature, using the historical development of parole as the general point of departure. Countries included in the research are, the United States of America, Australia and Britain with specific reference to Alabama, New York, Georgia, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australië respectively The overview of literature and concommittant empirical investigation, defines and discusses specific and relevant legislation that culminates in the operationalisation and management of the granting of parole. The contemporary operationalisation applicable to the re-integration and treatment of the offender in the community is discussed and the reality in the practical exercise of supervision and control over the offender on parole, is also incorporated into this study. It is clearly discernable in the study that the South African parole system is based on international trends in which important influences emmanate from Australia and the United States of America During considerations regarding parole natural justice as a fundamental right of an offender is considered in light of the audi alteram partem rule. / Penology / D. Litt et Phil. (Penology)

The purpose of Parole Supervision is in twofold, namely: ... The successful reintegration of the offender to the community; and ... The protection of the community against further criminal behaviour by parolees. The Department of Correctional Services endeavours to achieve the above mentioned objectives through stringent placement criteria and individualized parole conditions, and intensive supervision by surveillance officials of community corrections and volunteers. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

The transformation of the Department of Correctional Services into an institution of rehabilitation and the promotion of corrections as a societal responsibility brought a new dimension to the release policy of South Africa. A new Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998 came into effect and the Department of Correctional Services published a White Paper on Corrections during 2005. The idealistic correctional goal of protecting the community while rehabilitating the offender has served as a reason for conducting research into the parole process from a South African perspective. The qualitative aim of the study is to explore parole as a phenomenon and to describe the process involved in successfully reintegrating an offender into the community. The significant role that Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards play in the parole process and the emphasis they place on community safety, the interest of the victim and the rehabilitation and control of offenders as part of their mission statement are highlighted in the study. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

The transformation of the Department of Correctional Services into an institution of rehabilitation and the promotion of corrections as a societal responsibility brought a new dimension to the release policy of South Africa. A new Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998 came into effect and the Department of Correctional Services published a White Paper on Corrections during 2005. The idealistic correctional goal of protecting the community while rehabilitating the offender has served as a reason for conducting research into the parole process from a South African perspective. The qualitative aim of the study is to explore parole as a phenomenon and to describe the process involved in successfully reintegrating an offender into the community. The significant role that Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards play in the parole process and the emphasis they place on community safety, the interest of the victim and the rehabilitation and control of offenders as part of their mission statement are highlighted in the study. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)