African Department Of Correctional Services Research Articles

Examining the Learning Style Preferences of Offenders at the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre, South Africa

This study examined the learning style preferences of offenders at the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre, South Africa. Followed a quantitative approach and used cross-sectional survey design. Enu-meration sampling technique was applied due to small size of the pop-ulation (n = 571). Data were collected from 402 participants, yielding to response rate of 70.40%. A Kolb Learning Style Questionnaire was used to collect data. Kolb ‘s instrument can assess learning styles and provide a valuable framework for the design and management of learn-ing activities. The results show that many offenders strongly prefer di-verging/reflector learning style. This learning style influence the of-fenders’ learning experiences to a great extent. It is recommended that the South African Department of Correctional Services should consider providing customised training programmes to build the capacity of teachers/facilitators/learning designers so that they are able to ac-commodate the diverse learning styles of offenders during the classes and/or rehabilitation programmes.

Gender Equality in Human Resource Processes within the Department of Correctional Services, South Africa

The article discusses the human resource processes of the South African Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and assesses gender equality at all levels of management within the department. The article utilises the Mainstreaming Gender Equality (MGE) approach, known as gender mainstreaming to bring equal opportunities for both men and women in human resource development programmes within the DCS. A qualitative research approach was utilised to collect data. The article explores that there are challenges especially for women to advance their careers to senior management positions in the DCS. This is because of a lack of knowledge, compliance, and readiness to embrace gender transformation policies in the department. The article proposes policy recommendations to mainstream gender at institutional, departmental, and individual levels, and aims to contribute towards creating awareness to promote gender transformation in the public service (general context) and DCS (specific context).

An Empirical Assessment of the Effectiveness of Offenders’ Rehabilitation Approach in South Africa: A Case Study of the Westville Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal

The South African Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has a constitutional mandate to provide rehabilitation programs that address offenders’ criminal conducts. The rehabilitation approach currently used to deliver this mandate is grounded on the needs-based model where dynamic factors associated with recidivism are systematically targeted in the treatment of offenders’ criminal behaviors. In this research, a qualitative research methodology was employed, and a case study research design was utilized. Purposeful non-probability sampling was utilized to recruit participants. Thirty inmates and 20 correctional center officials who met the inclusion criteria for the study were selected to participate. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data during the empirical investigation. The findings of this study demonstrated that the DCS’s mission is far from being accomplished due to its failure to implement rehabilitation programs. The research study, therefore, recommends that for the success of a rehabilitation approach in South Africa, a critical review of the strategy meant to achieve this goal is required.

Diversity in the ministry of chaplaincy in the South African Department of Correctional Services

This article gives an overview of diversity in the South African Department of Correctional Services and how it challenges the ministry of chaplains. The diversity is manifest in the religious affiliations of inmates, crime categories, various categories of offenders, and programmes and services as unpacked in this article. This article precisely aims to shed light on how the chaplaincy functions within the framework of corrections in South Africa and how the diversity of the inmates’ population impacts on its theory and praxis. The Authors delineate the role that chaplains have to play to remain relevant to the correctional environment and accentuate the required empathic and non-judgmental stance by spiritual care personnel. Religious flexibility and adaptability is essential, as chaplains are managers of all religious activities. The article provides solid insights into what being a correctional chaplain in South Africa entails.

An exploration of the Self-Appraisal Questionnaire for assessing female recidivism in South Africa

This study profiled incarcerated female offenders’ criminogenic-oriented self-appraisals. Respondents were 77 female offenders between the ages of 20 and 56 years, serving custodial sentences within the South African Department of Correctional Services ranging from under a year to 25 years, and of whom 7 per cent were reoffenders. They completed the Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ: Loza, 2005), which is a self-report measure for assessing violent and non-violent recidivism. Findings suggest offenders with a history of violence to be at risk for reoffending compared to non-violent offenders.

Implementing a large-scale systematic tuberculosis screening program in correctional facilities in South Africa.

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence is high in correctional facilities in southern Africa. With support from local South African nongovernmental organizations, the South African Department of Correctional Services initiated a program of systematically screening newly admitted and current inmates for symptoms followed by GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)/rifampicin (Rif) for microbiologic testing of symptomatic inmates.Methods. We conducted a program evaluation during a 5-month window describing program reach, effectiveness, adoption within the facilities, cost, and opportunities for sustainability. This evaluation included 4 facilities (2 large and 2 smaller) with a total daily census of 20 700 inmates.Results. During the 5-month evaluation window from May to September 2013, 7426 inmates were screened at the 4 facilities. This represents screening 87% of all new admits (the remaining new admits were screened by correctional staff only and are not included in these statistics) and 23% of the daily inmate census, reaching 55% of the overall screening target as calculated per annum. The reach ranged from 57% screened during these 5 months at one of the smaller facilities to 13% at the largest facility. Two hundred one cases of pulmonary TB were diagnosed, representing 2.1% of the screened population; 93% had documented initiation of TB treatment. The cost per TB case identified was $1513, excluding treatment costs (with treatment costs it was $1880).Conclusions. We reached a large number of inmates with high-volume screening and effectively used GeneXpert MTB/Rif to diagnose pulmonary TB and rapidly initiate treatment. The cost was comparable to other screening programs.

Exploring the Triggers of Transformational Change in the South African Department of Correctional Services

Change is a critical phenomenon in any organisation that wants to optimise its performance at individual, team and organizational levels in order to survive and remain competitive in the intensely competitive and globalised operational environment – be it economic, social, political, technological, international or labour market environment. This paper presents empirical evidence gathered from research participants in the Correctional Centres located in the KwaZulu-Natal Region of the Department of Correctional Services on the factors that triggered the fundamental culture change from the punishment-oriented philosophy to the rehabilitation-driven philosophy in terms of the treatment of sentenced offenders (herein referred to as DCS change). An interest in the triggers of transformational change within a correctional environment has motivated the authors to embark on an empirical study which sought to establish the triggers of the transformational change in the Department of Correctional Services of South Africa. The study was significant, particularly if one considers the fact that there is generally an interest in the factors that force organisations to initiate and implement organisation-wide changes. Change and transformation strategists, organisation development practitioners, and managers in general in both the public and private sector globally and in South Africa in particular will benefit from the study, particular if one considers the fact that transformational change interventions are currently being implemented across the South African public service as part of the government’s agenda of reconstructing and developing the South African society. An extensive literature study on the external and internal triggers of organisational change was undertaken as part of contextualising the triggers of transformational change within the South African Correctional Services environment in general. The literature study was followed by the empirical study which focused on gathering data from correctional officials and offenders through utilising two survey questionnaires. The empirical findings revealed that the fundamental culture change from the punishment-oriented philosophy which was characterised by non-existence of a human rights culture to a rehabilitation-focused philosophy underpinned by the promotion and maintenance of a human rights culture was sparked off by various internal and external factors. These ranged from financial, social and political reasons to complaints about service from offenders, complaints from national and international bodies regarding human rights violations, competitive forces, proactive and progressive leadership,and the need to reduce recidivism. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n10p596

Organisational Identity: Another Key Consideration for Facilitating Effective and Efficient Transformational Change – Lessons from the South African Department of Correctional Services

This study focused on establishing the identity of the South African Department of Correctional Services as an organisation during the implementation of the transformational change, which entailed a paradigm-altering culture change from the punitive to the rehabilitative philosophy in terms of the treatment of sentenced incarcerated offenders. The treatise presents empirical evidence gathered from the correctional officials based at the regional office, management area offices, and correctional centres of the Department of Correctional Services in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. According to Labich (1994), organisational identity stands at the centre of corporate failure and yet, very little empirical research has been conducted on organisational identity. De Geus (1997) concurs with Labich (1994) on the importance of organisational identity in organisational life when emphasising that organisational identity plays a significant role in promoting long-living organisations, but no extensive empirical studies have been undertaken on organisational identity. Therefore, the lack of empirical evidence on the importance of the notion of organisational identity within an organisational environment has motivated the authors to undertake an empirical study which sought to establish and explore the identity of the Department of Correctional Services of South Africa during the process of transformational change (herein refered to as the DCS change). This was an important study given the fact that arguments have been advanced to the effect that organisational identity is related to other organisational variables such as organisational culture, organisational cohesion, organisational stability, organisational loyalty, organisational commitment, organisational health, organisational functioning, organisational effectiveness, organisational efficiency, organisational sustainability, and organisational change. This study was intended to benefit managers in both the public and private sector organisations globally and particularly in South Africa, where organisations are currently engaged in massive transformational change efforts as a result the government’s programme of reconstruction and development of the South African society. For purposes of contextualising the notion of organizational identity within the Department of Correctional Services and South Africa in general, an extensive literature study was undertaken. The literature study was followed by the empirical study whereby data was collected by means of a survey questionnaire from correctional officials. The empirical findings pointed to the fact that the Department of Correctional Services portrayed a negative organisational identity during the process of transformational change. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n3p190

The Reality of Resistance to Change Behaviour at the Department of Correctional Services of South Africa

One of the dynamics of transformational change which the study sought to establish within the offender correctional environment was the notion of resistance to change, which forms part of the human dimension of transformational change. This paper presents empirical evidence gathered from the Correctional Centres of the South African Department of Correctional Services in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal on resistance-to-change behavior displayed by the employees of Correctional Services, namely Correctional Officials regarding the fundamental culture change from the punishment-oriented philosophy to the rehabilitation-driven philosophy in terms of the treatment of sentenced offenders (herein referred to as DCS change). Inadequate empirical evidence on the significant role that the human elements and dynamics play in the success or failure of transformational change efforts has motivated the authors to embark on an empirical study which sought to establish whether the paradigm shift from the punitive approach to the rehabilitative approach within the offender correctional environment in South Africa was characterised by the resistance-to-change behavior on the part of correctional officials. The study was significant, particularly if one considers the fact that organisational change scholars (though there are still few who have researched on the subject) have put forward an argument that the high failure rate in the implementation of transformational change interventions is attributed to the neglect of the human factor during the planning and implementation phases of the transformational change management process. Change and transformation strategists, change and transformation implementers, change and transformation agents, change and transformation recipients, organisation development practitioners, and managers in general in both the public and private sector globally and in South Africa in particular will benefit from the study, particular if one considers the fact that transformational change interventions are currently being implemented across the South African public service as part of the government’s agenda of reconstructing and developing the South African society. An extensive literature study on resistance to change was undertaken as part of contextualising the resistance-to-change behavior within the Department of Correctional Services and South Africa in general. The literature study was followed by the empirical study which focused on gathering data from correctional officials through utilising a survey questionnaire. The empirical findings revealed that there were indeed elements of resistance-to-change behavior on the part of correctional officials insofar as the DCS change was concerned. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n3p548

The strengths and weaknesses of the transformational change management process in the South African department of correctional services: A critical analysis

Change management research has become a critical focus area for change scholars because of the low success rate in change implementation. This exposition of how the transformational change process has been managed at the Department of Correctional Service was meant to show managers, particularly in the said department, that unless managers pay serious attention to certain critical aspects which must form part of the change management process, no real change would be attained. This becomes critical if one considers that there is still a long way to go in the process of transformation to the philosophy of rehbilitation, namely transforming correctional centres to effective institutions of offender rehabilitation. There is currently limited literature on organisational change approaches that are people-oriented. The available literature seems to focus more on the technical aspects (hard issues such as structures, systems and practices) in terms of change management at the expense of people issues (soft issues such as the human factors). It has been argued that the neglect of people issues in the management of organisational change processes is responsible for the high failure rate in change implementation. For purposes of contextualising transformational change management within the setting of the Department of Correctional Services, an extensive literature study was undertaken. This was followed by an empirical analysis of data collected through survey questionnaires from correctional officials and offenders respectively. The research established that there were strong and weak points in the DCS transformational change management process from the perspective of both research participants.

English

Very few empirical studies have been conducted within the South African and global context on transformational change in an offender correctional environment, particularly on the human dimension of transformational change. The inadequate attention paid to the elements and dynamics of transformational change, which constitute the human dimension of transformational change has contributed tremendously to the high failure rate in the implementation of transformational change interventions. Empirical studies that seek to validate the above claim have somehow been very limited. Any empirical study that seeks to fill the empirical evidence gap mentioned above by investigating the role that people’s perceptions, reactions, experiences, resistance, personal impact, and organisational impact of change play in the management of change implementation processes becomes very important. This is what this study sought to do – to investigate, expose, and explore the impact of transformational change as one of the elements and dynamics of transformational change. It was the main objective of the study to expose managers to both the personal and organisational impact of transformational change. This was intended to ensure that managers understand the impact that transformational change initiatives have on both the employees and the organisation. A literature study was conducted in order to contextualise the impact of change within the South African Department of Correctional Services (DCS). For purposes of gathering data two survey questionnaires were utilised, which is, one for correctional officials and the other for offenders. The results of the study revealed that transformational change has a profound negative psychological and emotional impact on employees from both the intrapersonal and interpersonal perspectives.

Research capacity building and collaboration between South African and American partners: the adaptation of an intervention model for HIV/AIDS prevention in corrections research.

This article examines a partnership between researchers from the United States who are involved in corrections health issues and scientists from South Africa who conduct prison health research, a previously underresearched area in South Africa. The article discusses some of the challenges as well as opportunities for knowledge and skills exchange via capacity building and collaboration strategies. Through historical and contemporary perspectives, it also discusses barriers and benefits of collaboration when forging links between researchers from developed and less developed nations. A focus on conducting public health research in South Africa, and on HIV/AIDS studies in particular, is placed within the context of the 2001 document of the Council on Health Research for Development. The South African prison health study represents a collaborative between the South African National Health Promotion Research and Development Group of the Medical Research Council, the South African Department of Correctional Services, and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. The article illuminates the process of adapting a model for a postapartheid prison study from one designed for use in the American correctional system.

Potential Futures for Robben Island: shrine, museum or theme park?

Robben Island is South Africa's most famous cultural tourism attraction, principally for its maximum-security prison that housed Nelson Mandela for nearly twenty years. The island is a palimpsest of South African history, from sites associated with aboriginal (Khoi) people to colonial buildings and gun emplacements dating from the Second World War. It was transferred from the control of the South African Department of Correctional Services to the newly established Robben Island Museum (RIM) authority in 1997, allowing only a few weeks to prepare to open the facility to the public. This haste, which did not permit much strategic planning, combined with a rapid increase in visitors to nearly 2,000 per day in peak season, has created a situation where many potential futures for Robben Island as a visitor attraction can be identified. Debates surrounding the future of the island include its position within the multicultural heritage of theWestern Cape, whether or not it should be developed as a conference centre including residential accommodation, and to what extent its message should be politicised. Robben Island functions not only as a museum but also as a sacred site and a shrine to a living man, and was designated in December 1999 as one of South Africa's firstWorld Heritage sites.This fieldwork-based case study discusses potential futures for the island.