Corrections has always been conventionally known as an occupational discipline and
not a profession. The organization of corrections has been spoken of as a
penitentiary, bearing in mind that the models of the buildings were meant for
punishment; with correctional officers recognized as guards. The role of the guards
was that of the keeper of the keys and their duty was mainly custodial in nature. The
occupation was mainly attractive to white males with a record of unemployment and
not much education. The occupation was stable, and did not require for any extra
skill. Certain researchers believe that the selection methods for prison warders were
extremely relaxed with a small amount of empirical validity. There was also thinking
that a correctional officer needed a 20/20 vision and an IQ of an imbecile.
Conversely, it has been perceived that a correctional officer can be the most
significant individual in the offender’s life, having an influence in refining or declining
the success of the different treatment programs that an offender undergoes (Josi &
Sechrest, 1998, p. 3).
Corrections is a human service occupation. Therefore, human service workers need
to have knowledge of human behaviour and be able to assess their perspectives on
any behaviour wisely and thus formulate reliable estimations. This will give them the
opportunity to enjoy suitable decision making powers and formulate a trend on
professional behaviour. Their knowledge of human behaviour will also strengthen the capability to foresee behaviour and give special knowledge to prevent any
hesitancy(Williamson, 1990, p. 43).
The role of the correctional officers (security staff) has intensely changed over the
past few decades.The correctional officer is in today's corrections, expected to
balance security and still be responsible for changing the behaviour of offenders
constructively (Josi & Sechrest, 1998, p. 11). In order to have a comprehensive
understanding of the distinctive and contradictory role of the correctional officer, it is
very important to appreciate the changes that have transpired in penal philosophy all
through the centuries. Throughout the research, the researcher will make an effort to
capture the heritage of corrections and the evolving systems of punishment of
Europe, the United States of America and South Africa and look at the applications
of the rehabilitation concept and how the Correctional Officer has been utilised as a
skilled and knowledgeable professional in the whole process. The aim of the
research being to determine the effect that correctional and professional officers
have on rehabilitation of offenders and determine the process by which the
Correctional environment can be transformed to a true profession of highest integrity
and competence.
Objectives for the study will be:
• To analyse the history and development of Corrections internationally and its
philosophical background
• To examine the impact of the history of rehabilitation in the South African
Corrections system, from the development of the first prisons in 1652 to the
demilitarisation of prisons system in the 1990s, right through to the
actualisation of the South African White Paper on Corrections, 2005
• To critically examine the professional status of the Corrections occupation
against other existing professions. The issues on education, training,
credentialing, autonomy, code of ethics and special expertise are some of the
aspects that will be looked at as the primary criterion for professions
• To explain the conception of rehabilitation and its development and
application both internationally and nationally • To critically look at the importance of Corrections system while highlighting
the mandated role of the Correctional officer and the duality of the role of
balancing security and rehabilitation.
The study will contribute on the basis of knowledge in particular regard to Education
and Training of Correctional Officers. A model will be developed for South African
Correctional Services Systems and predominant focus will be on the performance
and education and training of Correctional Officers in South Africa. / Penology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Penology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/10343 |
| Date | 08 1900 |
| Creators | Matetoa, Julia Mathuetsi |
| Contributors | Cilliers, C. H. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (285 leaves) |
| Rights | University of South Africa |
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