M.Ed. / The aim of this research study is to analyze the Youth Empowerment Scheme critically, within the requirements of reformative justice. The study is motivated by the fact that crime in South Africa is on the increase. Most offenders are between the ages of 16- and 20 years. An effective rehabilitation program for first time youth offenders as part of diversion is critical to prevent further crime by these offenders. The Youth Empowerment Scheme is a program currently run by the National Institute for Crime Intervention and the Reintegration of Offenders in an attempt to prevent a criminal record and further crime. The researcher compared the current retributive justice system with the proposed reformative justice system to identify the implications of these justice systems for the youth offender. The principles of the reformative justice system and the Youth Empowerment Scheme were analyzed to formulate criteria to improve the reformative potential of the program. In the achievement of the above-mentioned study goal, the researcher applied the techniques of qualitative research and specifically used the Youth Empowerment Scheme as a case study according to this paradigm. The data was gathered through a variety of techniques (questionares, literature review, observation, field notes and an interview) which enhanced the viability and reliability of the study through triangulation. The researcher attended the Youth Empowerment Scheme, which gave her the opportunity to explore and describe the program within its natural context. Further data was gained through questionares completed by the youth offenders and an interview with their parents/guardians. From the data certain themes were identified that highlighted aspects of the Youth Empowerment Scheme that should be changed to ensure a more effective rehabilitation program. These themes led to the formulation of guidelines to improve the Youth Empowerment Scheme. The formulated guidelines focus on the following aspects: The facilitators of the program. The social context and potential of the youth offenders. The content of the program. The group size of the program. The duration of the program. Participation of the parents/guardians. Principles of reformative justice. Protection of the youth offender, by law. The limitations of the study and the role of the Educational Psychologist were discussed. The researcher also proposes that this study presents a lot of other research opportunities.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:3079 |
| Date | 23 August 2012 |
| Creators | Maritz, Linda |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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