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An analysis of the implementation of a diversion programme for juvenile offenders

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the implementation of, as well as identifying problem areas
associated with the YES-programme offered by NICRO.
This specific programme was chosen because most of the young offenders referred to
NICRO complete this programme. Young offenders are referred to the programme by
the magistrates' court. These are youth that have been arrested for petty crimes such
as shoplifting, damage to property and possession of drugs. This programme is also
aimed at first time offenders but it became evident throughout the study that these
youths might have been arrested once but seems to have been involved in crime at
some level prior to being arrested. Youth between the ages of thirteen and eighteen
years are accepted into the programme, with exceptions sometimes made for nineteen
year olds who are still attending school. Participation in the programme is strictly
voluntary, but there must be an admission of guilt on the part of the youth before
he/she will be considered for this kind of diversionary alternative. The programme
attempts to involve both parent and child in the process of learning and therefore
parents are required to attend the first and last sessions with their children. Sessions
attended by parents. focus on the improving relationships and communication between
parent and child.
The programme is viewed as an alternative sanction, and will enable youth to be
punished for their crimes whilst at the same time learning new skills, and most
importantly, not gaining a criminal record. The programme stretches over eight weeks
with weekly sessions that focus on self-concept, decision-making, children's rights
and respecting both themselves and those around them.
The researcher formed part of the process through both facilitating sessions as well as
observing sessions. For these reasons the research methodology focussed primarily on
participant observation and interviews. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie fokus op die proses van implementering en die identifisering van
probleemareas binne die YES-program wat deur NICRO aangebied word.
Die YES-program was spesifiek gekies omdat meeste van die jeugdiges wat na
NICRO verwys word hierdie program voltooi. Jeugdiges word deur die hof verwys
na die program wat dien as 'n afwentelingsprogram. Hierdie jeugdiges word meestal
gearresteer vir geringe misdade soos winkeldiefstal, beskadiging van eiendom, en
die besit van dwelms. Die jeugdiges word ook aanbeveel vir die program omdat dit
hulle eerste arrestasie is, maar tydens die studie word dit duidelik dat alhoewel dit
die eerste keer is dat die jeugdiges gearresteer word, dit nie hul eerste oortreding is
me.
Die program word beskou as 'n alternatiewe sanksie, en dit poog om die jeugdige te
straf vir sy/haar daad maar ook terselfdetyd nuwe vaardighede aan te leer, en meer
belangrik te voorkom dat die jeugdige 'n kriminele rekord kry. Die program strek
oor agt weeklike sessies wat fokus op self-konsep, besluitneming, kinderregte en
respek. Jeugdiges tussen die ouderdom van dertien en agtienjaar word verwys na die
program, maar uitsonderings word ook soms gemaak vir jeugdiges van
neƫntienjarige ouderdom mits hulle nog skool bywoon. Die program poog om beide
ouer en kind te betrek in die proses, en dus word ouers verplig om die eerste en
laaste sessies saam met die jeugdiges by te woon. Die sessies wat deur die ouers
bygewoon word fokus veralop die verbetering van verhoudings en kommunikasie
tussen ouer en kind. Deelname aan die program is vrywillig maar die jeugdige moet
skuldig pleit voordat hy/sy inaggeneem kan word vir die afwentelingsprogram.
Die navorser het deel van die proses uitgemaak deur beide programme waar te neem
sowel as programme te fasiliteer. Die navorsingsmetode wat dus benut was, was
deelnemende waarneming sowel as onderhoudvoering.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/49832
Date02 1900
CreatorsCupido, Miltoinette Antonia
ContributorsKritzinger, A. S., Van Aswegen, W. F., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology and Social Anthropology.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Formatviii, 97 p.
RightsStellenbosch University

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