Assignment 2
Case Study
, Question 1
As a short-term solution to overcrowding in the UK, offenders were housed in ships
anchored offshore. With regards to a South African context, I do not think this option
will help aid overcrowding in South African correctional centres because it will be
extremely costly to run the ships and maintain them as well as we do not have all the
resources to convert the ships into temporary correctional centres. Another reason
this will not work in South Africa is because some provinces are land locked and do
not have access to these ships, once again it will be extremely expensive to
transport offenders that are based in land locked provinces to be incarcerated on the
ships. It will also be extremely dangerous to the community to house offenders in
ships as it will be easy for them to escape or hatch escape plans via the sea.
Another reason to take into consideration is the fact that South Africa does not have
enough correctional officers to work on these ships or any other correctional facility,
due to the size of ships, the temporary correctional centre will need a lot of
correctional officers on board at all times. Logistically speaking in a south African
context this method of using ships o combat overcrowding will not work.
Question 2
2.1
Up until her child becomes 2 years old, Ms A is permitted to have her child with her
while she is in custody as stated in the South African Correctional Services Act of
1998. In order to lessen the negative effects of being apart from the mother and to
get the child ready for the mother's eventual release, this is allowed in the child's
best interest. While the child is still in Miss A’s care, the Department of Correctional
Services is also in charge of meeting the child's requirements for meals, medical
attention, and clothes. Professional social workers and childcare providers must also
offer moms and children the necessary assistance as stipulated in White Paper on
Corrections 2005b:164 –165.
Since Ms A had murdered her partner Mr B, she has become the primary caretaker
for her daughter. As a result, once the child reaches two, different caregivers will
need to be chosen. This may require utilising government aid programmes such as
child welfare services. Since Ms A’s family nor her deceased partner’s family want to
have any contact with her, her child who cannot be placed with family will enter the
foster-care system or maybe be adopted once she reaches the age of 2. The child is
then removed from the correctional environment once they turn 2 years old because
this will lessen the negative environment and upbringings on the child since they are
away from negative influences found in a correctional centre.
2.2
It is of paramount importance to assess every new offender during the admission
process. This helps determine any risk factors an offender may pose to themselves,
others or their children. After a comprehensive assessment is completed, the
comprehensive measures are then put into place in order to prevent any of the
identified risks to occur. Ms A will then undergo a screening process in order to