The influence of the immediate environment on parolee rehabilitation
The parolees’ experiences in a low-resourced area in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v12i7.2769Keywords:
Rehabilitation, parolees, low-resourced areas, environmental factors, Brits areaAbstract
In democratic South Africa, there has been a shift from the punishment of offenders to the rehabilitation approach and a change from prisons to correctional centres. Once someone becomes an offender, the person goes through rehabilitation and not punishment. This paper discusses the influence of the immediate environment on the rehabilitation of paroles in Brits area of North-West Province in South Africa, a poverty-stricken area with limited resources. A qualitative approach and an exploratory descriptive design were utilised to describe the parolees’ experiences of parole in a low-resourced community. One-on-one in-depth interviews were used to collect data which were then analysed thematically and backed by existing literature. The findings of the study showed that environmental factors play a role in offending and rehabilitation of offenders in low-resourced areas. The paper makes critical recommendations for consideration by parole officials and researchers to facilitate the effective rehabilitation of offenders in low-resourced areas.
Downloads
References
Alcohol Rehab Guide, 2023. Alcohol-Related Crimes. Retrieved from: https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/
Ahmed, R., (2017). Risk Mitigation Strategies in Innovative Projects. In Key Issues for Management of Innovative Projects. INTECH Open Limited, United Kingdom, 83-100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.69004
Alitavoli, R. & Kaveh, E. (2018). The US media’s effect on public’s crime expectations: A cycle of cultivation and agenda-setting theory. Societies, 8(3),58. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc8030058 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/soc8030058
Alpher, M., Durose, M.R & Markman, J. (2018). Update on Prisoner Recidivism: A 9-Year Follow-up Period. Retrieved from: https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/18upr9yfup0514.pdf.
Anderson, C. N., Cochran, J. C. & Toman, E. L. (2020). Social capital and its impacts on prison life: Is visitation a conduit? Crime & Delinquency, 68 (4), 644-683. https://doi.org/10.1177/00111287209774 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128720977445
Azuela, G. (2018). Development of Mental Health and Reintegration Services in the New Zealand Department of Correction. Practice: The New Zealand Corrections Journal, 6(1):1-9.
Bond, M. (2015). Criminology: Social Disorganization Theory Explained. Retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/criminology-social-disorganization-theory-explained-mark-bond.
Center on Sentencing and Corrections, Vera Institute of Justice. (2013). The Potential of Community Corrections to Improve Communities and Reduce Incarceration. Federal Sentencing Reporter, 26 (2): 128–144. https://doi.org/10.1525/fsr.2013.26.2.128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/fsr.2013.26.2.128
Cornelius, C.V.M, Lynch, J.C. & Gore, R. (2017). Aging out of crime: Exploring the relationship between age and crime with agent based modelling. Retrieved from:https://www.numbeo.com/crime/in/Johannesburg.
Crime Stats SA. (2017). Crime stats simplified. Retrieved from: https://crimestatssa.com/provinceselect.php?sortorder=&ShowProvince=North+West&go=1&Precincts%5B%5D=143&Precincts%5B%5D=1120&Precincts%5B%5D=94&Crimes%5B%5D=Murder&Crimes%5B%5D=Sexual+Offences&Crimes%5B%5D=Attempted+murder.
Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. Retrieved from: https://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/1977-051.pdf.
Dancig-Rosenberg, H. & Dagan, N. (2019). Retributarianism: A new individualization of punishment. Criminal Law and Philosophy, 13(1),129-147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11572-018-9460-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11572-018-9460-2
DeMichele, M., Baumgartner, P., Barrick, K., Comfort, M., Scaggs, S., & Misra, S. (2019). What do criminal justice professionals think about risk assessment at pretrial? Fed. Probation, 83, 32. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3168490 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3168490
Department of Correctional Services. (2022). Formal Education. Retrieved from: https://www.dcs.gov.za/?page_id=321
Dube, M. (2016). The psycho-social plight of widows in Binga District in Zimbabwe: the efficacy of social work intervention (Thesis-PhD). Mafikeng: North West University. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/24924
Duwe, G. (2017). The Use and Impact of Correctional Programming for Inmates on Pre- and Post-Release Outcomes. Minnesota: National Institute of Justice.
Etikan, I.,Musa, S.A., & Alkassim, R.S.( 2016). Comparison of Convinience Sampling and Purposive Sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5, 1-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11
Experian, (2020). Global data management research: The data-driven organisation, a transformation in progress. Retived from: https://www.experian.com.cn/en/experian-releases-2020-global-data-management-research-the-data-driven-organisation-a-transformation-in-progress/
Fazel, S. & Wolf, A. (2015). A systematic review of criminal recidivism rates worldwide: Current difficulties and recommendations for best practice. PloS One, 10(6):e0130390. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0130390
Fazel, S. & Wolf, A. (2018). Selecting a risk assessment tool to use in practice: A 10-point guide. Evidence-based Mental Health, 21(2):41-43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2017-102861
Gray, D. E. (2014). Doing Research in the Real World. Los Angeles: Sage.
Hassan, R.A., Hammin, Z. & Othman, M.B. (2017). “Doing Good” for the Parolees: Some Evidence from Malaysia on the predicament in community rehabilitation. Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 25(S):59-70.
Hegger, J. (2015). How community corrections cut down recidivism. Retrieved from:https://www.correctionsone.com/probation-and-parole/articles/8573493-How-community-corrections-can-cut-down-recidivism/
Hunter, DJ, McCallum, J & Howes, D. (2018). Defining Exploratory-Descriptive Qualitative (EDQ) research and considering its application to healthcare. In Proceedings of Worldwide Nursing Conference 2018. Worldwide Nursing Conference 2018.
Inderbitzin, M., Bates, K.A. & Gainey, R.R., (2016). Deviance and social control: A sociological perspective. London: SAGE Publications
Jacobs, L.A. & Gottlieb, A. (2020). The Effect of Housing Circumstances on Recidivism: Evidence From a Sample of People on Probation in San Francisco. Criminala Justcie Behaviour, 47(9): 1097–1115. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854820942285. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854820942285
Khwela, M.N. (2015). Effects of incarceration on recidivism in South Africa. Retrieved from: https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC183271
Kotelnikova, Y., Lefebvre, C. D., Campbell, M. A., Canales, D. & Stewart, C. (2021). Intersection between Justice-Involved Youth Personality Profiles and Criminal Risk-Need Patterns. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 21(3): 256-272. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2021.1972061
Kothari, C.R. (2014). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques (2nd ed). London: New Age International Publishers.
Lekalakala, E.R. (2016). A comparative penological study on recidivism. (Masters thesis) Retrieved from: https://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/21244/dissertation_lekakakala,%20er.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Letlape, S. (2018). The effects of different housing and basic services on disease. Unpublished Doctoral dissertation, Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University.
Magadze, T.O. (2016). A study of the participation of Vhembe District Community Corrections Forum (CCF) members in the re-integration of ex-offenders in the community. (Doctoral thesis), Turfloop: Limpopo University.
Maguire, M., & Delahunt, B. (2017). Doing a Thematic Analysis: A Practical, Step-by-Step Guide for Learning and Teaching Scholars. All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 8(5), 3351-33514. http://ojs.aishe.org/index.php/aishe-j/article/viewFile/335/553
Mogashoa, T. (2014). Applicability of constructivist theory in qualitative educational research. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 4(7), 51-59.
Mosteller, J. (2018). Why Reentry Programs are Important. Las Vegas: Hope For Prisoners. Retrieved from: https://hopeforprisoners.org/why-reentry-programs-are-important/
Myburgh, A. (2017). Correctional supervision in South African sentencing practice. (Doctoral dissertation) Pretoria: University of South Africa.
Nambeo. (2022). Crime in South Africa. Retrieved from:https://www.numbeo.com/crime/country_results.jsp?country=South+Africa
Nastasi, V. (2023). New report highlights enormous scale of community supervision in the United States. Retrieved from: https://reason.org/commentary/new-report-highlights-enormous-scale-of-community-supervision-in-the-united-states/
Ndike, G. (2014). Reintegration of Ex-offenders on Community: A Case Study of Whittlesea Township in Lukhanji Municipality. Alice: University of Fort Hare.
Opp, K. D. (2020). Analytical criminology: Integrating explanations of crime and deviant behaviour. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429026980
Paulson, P.(2013). The Role of Community Based Programmes in Reducing Recidivism in Ex-Offenders. Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers. Retrieved from: https://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1249&context=msw_papers
Petek, G. (2021). Improving Parolee Substance Use Disorder Treatment Through Medi-Cal. Sacramento: The Legislative Analyst’s Office. Retrieved from: https://lao.ca.gov/reports/2021/4411/SUDT-041421.pdf
Project Hope. (2023). Prison And Jail Reentry And Health. Retrieved from: https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hpb20210928.343531/
Psychology Today. (2022). Fear Based Anger Is The Primary Motive Violence. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/wicked-deed/201707/fear-based-anger-is-the-primary-motive-violence%3Famp
Research Unit of the Parliament of South Africa. (2016). Challenges Experienced by NGOS and FBOs in Providing Rehabilitation. Retrieved from: https://static.pmg.org.za/161116Research_Paper_on_Challenges.pdf
Right on Crime. (2023). Parole & Re-entry. Retrieved from: https://rightoncrime.com/initiatives/parole-and-re-entry/
Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C.M., & Ormston, R. (2013). Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers. California:SAGE Publishers.
Schaffer, A. 2016. Youth justice study finds prison counterproductive. Retieved from: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2016/10/youth-justice-study-finds-prison-counterproductive/
Sinclair, J. (2017). Volunteers and NGOs in a Rehabilitative Prison System. Retrieved from: https://www.communitymatters.govt.nz/assets/WCMT-FRR-PDF/John-Sinclair-Report-plus-appendix.pdf.
South Africa: Department of Correctional Services Act 111 of 2008, Pretoria: Government Printers.
South Africa: Department of Correctional Services White Paper on Corrections, 2005: Government Printers, Pretoria.
South Africa: Department of Correctional Services, (2018). Retrieved from: http://www.dcs.gov.za/
South Africa: Department of South African Police Services Act 68 of 1995, Pretoria: Government Printers.
South African History Online. (2017). A history of prison labour in South Africa Retrieved from: www.sahistory.org.za/article/history-prison-labour-south-africa
Teater, B. (2014). Contemporary social work practice: A handbook for students. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Teater, B., (2014). An introduction to applying social work theories and methods. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Teherani, A., Martimianakis, T., Stenfors-Hayes, T., Wadhwa, A. & Varpio, L. (2015). Choosing a Qualitative Research Approach. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 7(4):669-670. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-15-00414.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-15-00414.1
The Evergreen State College, (2022). Understanding Confidentiality and Anonymity. Retrieved from:https://www.evergreen.edu/humansubjectsreview/confidentiality
The Pew Charitable Trust. (2023). More Imprisonment Does Not Reduce State Drug
Problems: Issue Brief. Retrieved from: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2018/03/more-imprisonment-does-not-reduce-state-drug-problems.
The White Paper on Corrections in South Africa 2005. https://acjr.org.za/resource-centre/White%20Paper%20on%20Corrections%20in%20South%20Africa.pdf. (November 11, 2022)
Thomas, P.A., Liu, H., & Umberson, D. (2017). Family Relationships and Well-Being. Innovation in Aging, 1(3):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igx025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igx025
?ica, G. (2014). Social factors influencing criminal recidivism. (Thesis: PhD). Babes-Bolyai: University of Chicago.
Timor,U., Peled-Laskov. R., & Golan, E. (2023). Student Mentors of Incarcerated Persons:Contribution of a Mentoring Program for Incarcerated Persons. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 34(1):65-87. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/08874034221130037
United Nations. (2018). Introductory Handbook on the Prevention of Recidivism and the Social Reintegration of Offenders: Criminal Justice Handbook Series. Viena: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Valasik, M (2014). Classical Criminology. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118517383.wbeccj041 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118517383.wbeccj041
Van Koppen, M. V. (2013). Involvement mechanisms for organized crime. Crime, Law and Social Change, 59(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-012-9396-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-012-9396-8
Zara, G. & Farrington, D.P. (2015). Criminal recidivism: Explanation, prediction and prevention. London: Routledge DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203083451
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Olebogeng Wendy Letlape, Misheck Dube
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
For all articles published in IJRBS, copyright is retained by the authors. Articles are licensed under an open access Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, meaning that anyone may download and read the paper for free. In addition, the article may be reused and quoted provided that the original published version is cited. These conditions allow for maximum use and exposure of the work, while ensuring that the authors receive proper credit.
