PEN2608 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 - DUE 29 August 2025

1.1 List the five (5) types of educators in the correctional system. (5) 1.2 Discuss s o c i a l work in correctional centres under the following headings: 1.2.1 Aim of social work (7) 1.2.2 Nature of social services (4) 1.2.3 Methods used in social work (3) 1.3 The purpose of an assessment is to obtain a comprehensive picture of the offender’s complete functioning. What are the methods used by psychologists to gather the relevant information? (6) [25] Question 2 2.1 Discuss the aim of psychological services in the correctional environment in your own words. (6) 2.2 Discuss training development at the correctional centre. (10) 2.3 Identify the factors that determine the adequacy of lights in the correctional centre. (4) 2.4 Where does social education start? (5) 3.1 Describe the regulations concerning offenders’ clothing and bedding. (5) 3.2 Why do you think it is important for Offender with support structure and emotional well-being to be referred to a social worker? (6) 3.3 Identify and discuss the characteristics of a good correctional official. (14) Mini-case study Offender H is 27 years old and has been sentenced to ten years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. She has a history of offending behaviour and has previously been arrested for theft and burglary. While incarcerated, offender H is advised to partake in rehabilitation programmes so that she can prepare to successfully re-enter society upon completing her sentence. Offender H has been encouraged to pursue an education since she only attended school till grade 7. She was also advised to seek help from the social worker at the correctional centre. Answer the following questions: 1. Discuss the three different levels of a correctional centre. (10) 2. Explain the right to education as a basic human right. (10) 3. List the five types of educators in the correctional system. (5) 4. Outline the appropriate standards for providing adequate nutrition. (10) 5. Discuss social work in correctional centres under the following heading a. Nature of social work services (4) b. Primary methods used in social work (4) (8) 6. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which specific needs does every human being including offenders have? (5) 7. Discuss the different behavioural programmes available to offenders while they are incarcerated. (14) 8. List five characteristics of a good correctional officer. (5) You are a correctional officer at a correctional centre in South Africa. As a correctional officer, you need special skills and training to deal with offenders in a unique working environment. You have been appointed as the case manager of Offender G. Carefully read through the case study below and then use the content of your study guide for PEN2608 and ALL additional resources given to discuss the following topics from your perspective as a correctional officer. You are the case manager of Offender G, who has been sentenced for several offences. He is the oldest of four children of a single mother, who started life in a disadvantaged community. He has had problems with the law since his early teens, which resulted in arrests for theft, possession of illegal drugs and assault. He began using and selling drugs at age 14. At 23 he was arrested for the third time, labelled a career criminal and sentenced to 10 years in a correctional centre. Offender G joined a gang in the correctional centre where he was detained. It is evident from Offender G’s upbringing and during his previous arrest that there were no transformational theorists/practitioners involved in his transformation, rehabilitation, maturation or transition. When he was convicted, the Department of Correctional Services conducted an assessment for the treatment needs for Offender G using the Comprehensive Risk and Needs Assessment Tool. This tool is utilised to analyse, evaluate, examine, determine and assess the crime and criminal behaviour of offenders, covering all its facets within 21 days after admission. It covers aspects associated with criminal behaviour (e.g. precursors, triggers, causes, motives, offender characteristics and influences) and is also used to determine personal needs, risks (such as escape, suicide and recidivism) and responsiveness. Some of the needs considered are education, substance abuse, support structure, employment skills, anger management, coping skills, problem-solving skills, spiritual care, emotional well-being, leisure and recreation, associations and responsiveness. Section A of the Comprehensive Risk and Needs Assessment Tool is to investigate crime and criminality, childhood history such as crime history (childhood, youth history, and adult), current offence/s, gang and criminality, and substance abuse. Offender G’s conditions which led to his detention in the correctional centre were his criminal involvement and the cycle of offending, alcohol and drug abuse, his attitude, and his present and past criminal behaviour. The needs of Offender G are determined before the Department can determine what programmes he should be exposed to. Offender G has not participated in any sport Confidential 7 of 8 PEN 2608 MAY/JUNE 2022 and recreation. He was not employed prior to his arrest and imprisonment. He has poor skills development and is not trained in any specific profession, skill or trade. During assessment Offender G indicated that he is not part of any religious practice, he has no faith, religion, belief or denomination. He has poor emotional well-being, has not received any treatment for mental illness and he has nightmares relating to the victim of the incident. He expresses remorse about his wrongdoings which led to his committing the offences. Rehabilitation will be possible only if Offender G himself first accepts his own disposition, attitude and behaviour. In this regard voluntary participation is required from Offender G. Before Offender G was incarcerated, he was a victim of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and the court recommended psychological or psychiatric treatment as part of the sentence for rehabilitation. END OF CASE STUDY ANSWER ALL THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. 1. Offender G was encouraged to participate in a religious programme to support his spiritual wellbeing. Discuss the aims of religious care and the functions of the religious worker in this context. (16) 2. Do you think it is important to refer Offender G to a psychologist? If yes, why? (4) 3. The purpose of an assessment is to obtain a comprehensive picture of the offender’s complete functioning. What are the methods used by psychologists to gather the relevant information? Offender M is 30 years old and has been sentenced to seven years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. He has a history of offending behaviour and has previously been arrested for theft and burglary. While incarcerated, offender M is advised to participate in rehabilitation programmes so that upon completing his sentence, he can successfully re-enter society. Offender M only completed school till grade 9 and has been encouraged to further his education. Offender M has a family that visits him and encourages him while he is serving his sentence. Furthermore, offender M is advised to seek help from the social worker or psychologist for the personal challenges he is facing. Answer the following questions: 1. The Nelson Mandela Rules (The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners) provide guidance on the treatment of offenders. Explain what the following rules refer to: a. Rule 12 (5) b. Rule 22 (5) 2. Offender M has indicated that he would like to further his education by completing grade 12. a. Critically discuss the positive impact of offender M furthering his education. (5) b. Suggest a programme that offender M may pursue after competing Grade 12. Explain the reason why you are suggesting this programme. (5) 3. Discuss what the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states regarding the human rights of offenders in the correctional system. (10) 4. Discuss social work services in correctional centres under the following headings: a. Which social work service would you recommend for Offender M and why? (5) b. In your own words discuss the importance of confidentiality between offender M and the social worker. (5) 5. Explain the UNESCO standards that allow offender M to reach his full potential. (10) 6. Explain the different target groups for psychological services (8) 7. Critically discuss the difficulties correctional centres might face in implementing psychological services effectively. (5) 8. Which positive qualities can correctional officials display to help change offender M's negative behaviour into positive behaviour? (5) (6) 4. In dealing with Offender G you need to demonstrate the characteristics of a good correctional official. Identify and discuss the characteristics of a good correctional official. (14) 5. Discuss training development at the correctional centre. (10) 6. Discuss the aim of psychological services in the correctional environment. (6) 8. List five characteristics of a good correctional officer. (5) You are a correctional officer at a correctional centre in South Africa. As a correctional officer, you need special skills and training to deal with offenders in a unique working environment. You have been appointed as the case manager of Offender G. Carefully read through the case study below and then use the content of your study guide for PEN2608 and ALL additional resources given to discuss the following topics from your perspective as a correctional officer. You are the case manager of Offender G, who has been sentenced for several offences. He is the oldest of four children of a single mother, who started life in a disadvantaged community. He has had problems with the law since his early teens, which resulted in arrests for theft, possession of illegal drugs and assault. He began using and selling drugs at age 14. At 23 he was arrested for the third time, labelled a career criminal and sentenced to 10 years in a correctional centre. Offender G joined a gang in the correctional centre where he was detained. It is evident from Offender G’s upbringing and during his previous arrest that there were no transformational theorists/practitioners involved in his transformation, rehabilitation, maturation or transition. When he was convicted, the Department of Correctional Services conducted an assessment for the treatment needs for Offender G using the Comprehensive Risk and Needs Assessment Tool. This tool is utilised to analyse, evaluate, examine, determine and assess the crime and criminal behaviour of offenders, covering all its facets within 21 days after admission. It covers aspects associated with criminal behaviour (e.g. precursors, triggers, causes, motives, offender characteristics and influences) and is also used to determine personal needs, risks (such as escape, suicide and recidivism) and responsiveness. Some of the needs considered are education, substance abuse, support structure, employment skills, anger management, coping skills, problem-solving skills, spiritual care, emotional well-being, leisure and recreation, associations and responsiveness. Section A of the Comprehensive Risk and Needs Assessment Tool is to investigate crime and criminality, childhood history such as crime history (childhood, youth history, and adult), current offence/s, gang and criminality, and substance abuse. Offender G’s conditions which led to his detention in the correctional centre were his criminal involvement and the cycle of offending, alcohol and drug abuse, his attitude, and his present and past criminal behaviour. The needs of Offender G are determined before the Department can determine what programmes he should be exposed to. Offender G has not participated in any sport Confidential 7 of 8 PEN 2608 MAY/JUNE 2022 and recreation. He was not employed prior to his arrest and imprisonment. He has poor skills development and is not trained in any specific profession, skill or trade. During assessment Offender G indicated that he is not part of any religious practice, he has no faith, religion, belief or denomination. He has poor emotional well-being, has not received any treatment for mental illness and he has nightmares relating to the victim of the incident. He expresses remorse about his wrongdoings which led to his committing the offences. Rehabilitation will be possible only if Offender G himself first accepts his own disposition, attitude and behaviour. In this regard voluntary participation is required from Offender G.