The judicial system is moving away from a retributive justice system to a more rehabilitative,
restorative justice system. Diverting youth offenders from the justice system by alternative
sentencing options such as diversion programmes is one way of doing this. Jt was found that a
need exists for the development of a therapeutic programme for the rehabilitation of youth
offenders in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to detennine the content of
therapeutic rehabilitation programme and subsequently to develop a provisional therapeutic
programme for youth offenders.
The first part of the literature study summarized a number of theories used to explain the
incidence of youth offence. The second part of the literature study discussed various risk
factors that could lead to youth offence. Thirdly, the juvenile justice system in South Africa
was discussed. Finally, the characteristics of effective rehabilitation programmes were
discussed and a number of international and South African rehabilitation programmes were
evaluated in tenns ofthese characteristics. In the literature study certain aspects for inclusion
in a rehabilitation programme were identified. A list of topics that should be addressed by a
rehabilitation programme was drawn up.
A provisional therapeutic programme was compiled using the information gained from the
literature study and the needs for a programme as identified by staff members at the facility
where the programme was to be conducted. The programme was based on experiential learning. lt included a number of activities that addressed the topics identified by the literature
study. The provisional programme was evaluated in tenns of its short-term effectiveness and
adjustments to the programme were made.
The adjusted programme was conducted at two other facilities and evaluated in tenns of its
short-term effectiveness by the researcher, the staff at these facilities and the youth who took
part in the programme. Staff at the two facilities where the empirical study took place were
asked to complete questionnaires to identify their needs with regards to a rehabilitation
programme as well as background questionnaires on the youth who were taking part in the
programme. Recommendations for further improvements of the programme were made. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/827 |
| Date | 06 1900 |
| Creators | Nieman, Annelien |
| Contributors | Pienaar, Gregory Edward, Lessing, A. C. (Anna Christina), 1947- |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (xx, 279 leaves) |
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