This thesis' aim is to describe and assess employment opportunities of people with a criminal record. The theoretical part deals with the phenomenon of unemployment in general. The social and psychological aspects of the unemployment are described, as well as the possible impact of unemployment on society. Individual tools of social politics, which may be used to deal with unemployment, are discussed. The next part focuses on legislative features of the institution of Criminal record and on legislation that regulates the relationships between employers and employees. The practical part contains an analysis of job advertisements offering positions suitable for people with a criminal record. In the next chapter my aim was to analyse the situation of people released from prison; and to present opportunities for their support. The work of probation officers from municipal offices is described in detail. The thesis contains three case studies of people with a criminal record looking for a job. In the last chapter, organizations providing help and support for people with a criminal record during job searching are presented. Next chapter focuses on the international experiences with employing people with a criminal record. Key words Criminal record Unemployment Unemployment benefit Social benefit...

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie verhandeling is 'n poging om 'n teoretiese-prinsipiele uiteensetting te gee omtrent voorvonnisevaluering vanuit 'n penologiese gesigspunt. Met voorvonnisevalueringsverslae word daar gepoog om op 'n sinlike manier beide positiewe en negatiewe elemente van die individuele oortreder se persoonlike- en maatskaplike agtergrond en huidige situasie aan die lig te bring naamlik kenmerke van sy gedragspatrone sowel van sy sterk en swak eienskappe. Die hoofdoel van voorvonnisevalueringsverslae en voorvonnisondersoeke is om regters, landdroste en howe behulpsaam te wees met die bepaling van 'n gepaste en ge"individualiseerde straf. Sonder basiese en deeglike kennis van die oortreder as persoon sal enige verhoorhof in die duister 'n vonnis ople en die kanse vir 'n gepaste straf sal skraal wees. Benewens die wesenlike groei en belangstelling in voorvonnisevelueringsverslae wat deur proefbeamptes of korrektiewe beamptes voorberei word pleit verskeie skrywers vir die gebruikmaking van hierdie evalueringsverslae in die strafregsplegingstelsel veral wat betref jeugdiges, eerste oortreders en ernstige oortreders. / The dissertation will attempt a theoretic fundamental exposition of the role of the presentence evaluation as seen from a penological perspective. With presentence evaluation they attempt to take into consideration the positive as well as the negative elements which are present in the individual's personal and social background for example their day-to-day behaviour. The main purpose of the presentence evaluation report and presentence investigation is to aid the judges, prosecutors and the court in determining a suitable and individualized punishment. Without basic and complete knowledge of the offender as a person the court will not be able to deliver fair judgements and the changes that a suitable punishment will be given is limited. Due to a positive interest in this presentence evaluation report several writers insist of making use of this evaluation report in the criminal law justice system especially where youth, first time offenders and major offenders are concerned. / Penology / M.A. (Penologie)

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie verhandeling is 'n poging om 'n teoretiese-prinsipiele uiteensetting te gee omtrent voorvonnisevaluering vanuit 'n penologiese gesigspunt. Met voorvonnisevalueringsverslae word daar gepoog om op 'n sinlike manier beide positiewe en negatiewe elemente van die individuele oortreder se persoonlike- en maatskaplike agtergrond en huidige situasie aan die lig te bring naamlik kenmerke van sy gedragspatrone sowel van sy sterk en swak eienskappe. Die hoofdoel van voorvonnisevalueringsverslae en voorvonnisondersoeke is om regters, landdroste en howe behulpsaam te wees met die bepaling van 'n gepaste en ge"individualiseerde straf. Sonder basiese en deeglike kennis van die oortreder as persoon sal enige verhoorhof in die duister 'n vonnis ople en die kanse vir 'n gepaste straf sal skraal wees. Benewens die wesenlike groei en belangstelling in voorvonnisevelueringsverslae wat deur proefbeamptes of korrektiewe beamptes voorberei word pleit verskeie skrywers vir die gebruikmaking van hierdie evalueringsverslae in die strafregsplegingstelsel veral wat betref jeugdiges, eerste oortreders en ernstige oortreders. / The dissertation will attempt a theoretic fundamental exposition of the role of the presentence evaluation as seen from a penological perspective. With presentence evaluation they attempt to take into consideration the positive as well as the negative elements which are present in the individual's personal and social background for example their day-to-day behaviour. The main purpose of the presentence evaluation report and presentence investigation is to aid the judges, prosecutors and the court in determining a suitable and individualized punishment. Without basic and complete knowledge of the offender as a person the court will not be able to deliver fair judgements and the changes that a suitable punishment will be given is limited. Due to a positive interest in this presentence evaluation report several writers insist of making use of this evaluation report in the criminal law justice system especially where youth, first time offenders and major offenders are concerned. / Penology / M.A. (Penologie)

The thesis is focuse on professional ethics and ethical dilemmas in the work of a social worker in public administration / probation officer for adults. The main object was to find out what social workers consider as ethical dilemmas, how they are experiencing these situations, which strategies they choose to cope with these and what sources of support do they have. The overview part of the thesis is focused on a topic of values of social work and values of social workers. Overview part gives more attention to conception of justice and social justice, with which, among other documents, the codes of ethics work as one of the fundamental values of social work. It examines the professional values of social work by analyzing ethical documents - ethical codes. Research part of the thesis is based on qualitative research carried out through in-depth interviews with social workers in public administration. The objection of the research was to find out what professional situations social workers consider as ethical dilemmas, how they experience them, what strategies they choose to manage these situations and what sources of support do they have. The main findings of the research point out that social workers as ethical dilemmas perceive mainly situations when it is difficult for them to make decisions in...

This study was interested in exploring the perceptions and experiences of social workers about the nature and contents of conducting risk assessments with child offenders. Considering the high level of crime and reoffending in South Africa, effective assessment is imperative. The goal of the research was to develop an in-depth understanding of how risk assessments of child offenders are conducted in practice. This was done by applying a qualitative research methodology. The study was conducted in the Western Cape. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was employed and data were analysed according to the framework provided by Tesch. The findings indicated that although prescribed instruments are used in the risk assessment of children in South Africa, they all have definite limitations. To enhance the quality of service rendered to child offenders, the development of a standardised risk assessment instrument is needed. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

This study was interested in exploring the perceptions and experiences of social workers about the nature and contents of conducting risk assessments with child offenders. Considering the high level of crime and reoffending in South Africa, effective assessment is imperative. The goal of the research was to develop an in-depth understanding of how risk assessments of child offenders are conducted in practice. This was done by applying a qualitative research methodology. The study was conducted in the Western Cape. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was employed and data were analysed according to the framework provided by Tesch. The findings indicated that although prescribed instruments are used in the risk assessment of children in South Africa, they all have definite limitations. To enhance the quality of service rendered to child offenders, the development of a standardised risk assessment instrument is needed. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Work)

Throughout the world, the need to protect children’s rights has proliferated through international conventions and national laws, therefore, parents add immense value as participants in diversion programmes. The dearth of research studies on parents as participants in diversion programmes is documented internationally and in South Africa. This is an exploratory-descriptive- contextual and phenomenological study that is steeped in qualitative research approach. The study was guided by Risk-Need Responsivity Model for offender assessment and rehabilitation (Bonta & Wormith, 2010). Data collection was done through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Snow-ball and purposive sampling were used. Prior to actual data collection, pilot testing was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the data collection tool. Data was analysed through thematic content in accordance with Creswell’s (2014:196) six steps of data analysis and verified according to Lincoln and Guba’s model of 1994 and Yin’s 2018 model. In order to ensure adherence to ethical prescripts, the following were applied throughout the study; informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity, beneficence, management of information and debriefing. The key finding is that parents are not involved in the diversion prorammes. This study will close literature gap whilst it recommends development of policy guidelines for parental involvement in diversion. / Social Work / M.A.(Social Work)

The thesis focuses on the socio-educational work methods of the probation and mediation services and of its workers in relation to their clients with imposed probation supervision and on the opportunities for development and support of their healthy social functioning. The thesis is divided into theoretical and practical part. In the theoretical part initially are defined the basic concepts and terms, then it is described the target group of conditionally released from prison clients, which currently are under supervision of a probation officer. The thesis sees the imprisonment as a difficult life situation and it deals with the influence of penitentiary environment on the personality of the convict in relation to his further development. In the second part are described the specific activities of the probation and mediation service workers in relation to clients from the target group. The thesis focuses on the socio-educational work of the probation officers, as well as social workers or other organizations for social prevention and their impact on the social stabilization of individuals, belonging to the target group. Here the concept of social stabilization is concretized and related to individual areas, which should be implemented within the probationary period. The practical part shows...

Children are the most vulnerable group. Their protection should be a priority for society. In particular, those who are accused of committing crime need to be protected from entering the criminal justice system and measures should be put in place to prevent the stigmatisation associated with having a criminal record. Such protection is endorsed by section 28 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996).This study outlines the role played by a probation officer in the diversion process. This was achieved by examining international and national instruments that promote the protection of children in conflict with the law. The Child Justice Act No. 75 of 2008 forms part of national instruments. It provides guidelines for probation officers and other stake holders in the justice system on how to deal with children who are accused of committing crimes. Recommendations on the identified challenges and gaps are made. / Corrections Management / M.A. (Corrections Management)