Criminology 120 – Part A
Chapter 3: The South African Criminal Justice System
Achievements of the Integrated Justice System: (IJS) (Textbook)
3 major achievements
1. Court process project
2. Automated fingerprint identification system
3. Inmate tracking system within correctional centres
1. Court process project
AIM: bring advanced IT, functionality and support to the courts
Links the Department of Safety and Security, Correctional Services, Social
Development, Justice and Constitutional Development and National Prosecuting
Authority
Following benefits could be achieved:
- Improved tracking of dockets and case files to reduce number of lost dockets
- Reduced court trial delays
- Reduced duplication of data entry
- Improved access to information
- Improved verification of identities
- Reduced postponement of cases due to misplaced files, and
- Improved administration of offender admissions and releases
2. Automated fingerprint identification system
A computerised database containing details of over 4.6 million convicted offenders
Added advantage of AFIS: the Morpho Touch Mechanism
Morpho Touch mechanism: handheld device able to scan fingerprints
Gives a quick response to whether the person is wanted suspect or not
Significant impact on the identification of criminals
3. Inmate tracking system within correctional centres
A.k.a Automated Personal Identification System
Awaiting trial detainees processed using the pilot system at the Durban Westville
correctional centre and Johannesburg correctional centre
Objectives: to ensure wrong offenders are not released from the centres, ensures
the correct people are taken to court
Despite advanced technology, IJS Board still has problems with large numbers of
people imprisoned in overcrowded awaiting-trial sections of correction centres
Incarcerated include inmates awaiting-trial, qualifying for bail & awaiting sentence
and plea bargaining
3 main components of the criminal justice system
- Law enforcement or police
- Judicial system
- Corrections
, Steps to make the Criminal Justice System work:
Crime is reported to police station
Police open docket and investigate crime
Docket sent to court
(prosecutor to decide of more investigations are needed)
NPA decides whether to prosecute or not
If they decide not to prosecuteit is If they decide to prosecute, Prosecutor may decide to
because the case is not strong enough the case goes to courtfor the divertthe matter for alternative
(not enough evidence) charge resolution
In court, the accused may apply to be released on Trial may be postponed a few times
bail(while waiting for the trial to finish) ; after this there to collect more evidence / accused
is a bail hearing may acquire or want a lawyer
Prosecutor first to call a witness to give evidence to prove accused is guilty
Accused / lawyer may then also call a witness / present evidence
After both sides have been heard, presiding officerdecides if accused is guilty or not
guilty
If GUILTY, accused is sentenced by presiding officer
If sentenced to imprisonment, the If sentenced to pay a fine or The court may have
offender may be released on parole compensation, this is paid to the othersentencing options apart
(decided by parole-board hearing) clerk of the court from imprisonment or fines, such
as community service
Chapter 3: The South African Criminal Justice System
Achievements of the Integrated Justice System: (IJS) (Textbook)
3 major achievements
1. Court process project
2. Automated fingerprint identification system
3. Inmate tracking system within correctional centres
1. Court process project
AIM: bring advanced IT, functionality and support to the courts
Links the Department of Safety and Security, Correctional Services, Social
Development, Justice and Constitutional Development and National Prosecuting
Authority
Following benefits could be achieved:
- Improved tracking of dockets and case files to reduce number of lost dockets
- Reduced court trial delays
- Reduced duplication of data entry
- Improved access to information
- Improved verification of identities
- Reduced postponement of cases due to misplaced files, and
- Improved administration of offender admissions and releases
2. Automated fingerprint identification system
A computerised database containing details of over 4.6 million convicted offenders
Added advantage of AFIS: the Morpho Touch Mechanism
Morpho Touch mechanism: handheld device able to scan fingerprints
Gives a quick response to whether the person is wanted suspect or not
Significant impact on the identification of criminals
3. Inmate tracking system within correctional centres
A.k.a Automated Personal Identification System
Awaiting trial detainees processed using the pilot system at the Durban Westville
correctional centre and Johannesburg correctional centre
Objectives: to ensure wrong offenders are not released from the centres, ensures
the correct people are taken to court
Despite advanced technology, IJS Board still has problems with large numbers of
people imprisoned in overcrowded awaiting-trial sections of correction centres
Incarcerated include inmates awaiting-trial, qualifying for bail & awaiting sentence
and plea bargaining
3 main components of the criminal justice system
- Law enforcement or police
- Judicial system
- Corrections
, Steps to make the Criminal Justice System work:
Crime is reported to police station
Police open docket and investigate crime
Docket sent to court
(prosecutor to decide of more investigations are needed)
NPA decides whether to prosecute or not
If they decide not to prosecuteit is If they decide to prosecute, Prosecutor may decide to
because the case is not strong enough the case goes to courtfor the divertthe matter for alternative
(not enough evidence) charge resolution
In court, the accused may apply to be released on Trial may be postponed a few times
bail(while waiting for the trial to finish) ; after this there to collect more evidence / accused
is a bail hearing may acquire or want a lawyer
Prosecutor first to call a witness to give evidence to prove accused is guilty
Accused / lawyer may then also call a witness / present evidence
After both sides have been heard, presiding officerdecides if accused is guilty or not
guilty
If GUILTY, accused is sentenced by presiding officer
If sentenced to imprisonment, the If sentenced to pay a fine or The court may have
offender may be released on parole compensation, this is paid to the othersentencing options apart
(decided by parole-board hearing) clerk of the court from imprisonment or fines, such
as community service
