NAME:
STUDENT NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: PEN1503
UNIQUE NUMBER: 711517
ASSIGNMENT NO: 06 (SUPPLEMENTARY EXAM)
DUE DATE: 28 OCTOBER 2022
PART 1: TRANSFORMATION IN SOUTH AFRICAN CORRECTIONAL CENTRES
Background
Question 1
Transformation has a lot of different meanings in a variety of environments.
Therefore, correctional services are daily challenged to transform and adapt to
change. The module site for PEN1503, Correctional Skills, provides several
resources on transformation in correctional centres in South Africa. The
following broad areas are identified as areas in need of transformation. For each
identified area, indicate and discuss the aspect that needs to receive attention
a) Overcrowding (5)
In order to transform correctional services in South Africa and address the challenge of
overcrowding in the facilities, these strategies may include the expansion of correctional
service infrastructures to deal with overcrowding as specified by Ronald Lamola in
2019. Overcrowding rates in SA were said to be at 37% in March 2022[sanews.gov.za].
The other strategy that was employed is to move offenders within correctional centers to
manage the number of inmates in different spaces. The other strategy would be to deal
with the corruption within the correctional service were resources are squandered which
are meant to improving and expanding the correctional service centers. Diverting minor
cases out of the criminal justice system could be a strategy they could look at also and
investing in strategies for crime prevention that will in turn reduce overcrowding in the
facilities
b) Legislation (5)
In terms of legislation, we should remember that the correctional service aim is to
contribute towards maintaining and protecting a peaceful environment in the
correctional facilities, while maintain a safe society in prisons. By imposing court-
imposed sentences and ensuring that inmates are detained in a safe environment while
considering their human rights and human dignity and developing in them a sense of
social responsibility. Reforms such as developing prison libraries, separation of the sick
and reduction of beatings may need to be in place. it will also be important to create
1
, legislations allowing Diverting minor cases out of the criminal justice system could be a
strategy they could look at also and investing in strategies for crime prevention.
c) Correctional Management Philosophies (5)
In order to improve the correctional management philosophy in South Africa, custodial
and treatment philosophy have to be improved. To make the manager of correctional
services in south Africa to be functional, we will need to make some changes on the
retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation and incapacitation strategies, in terms of
rehabilitation only it may mean the correctional service itself needs to start to see the
inmates as human as they are and not animals, they should introduce art in correctional
facilities, substance use disorder treatment programs and introduce career technical
education. This all may create a safe environment in this facility and also ensure the
correctional services facilities are functional.
d) Technology (5)
In joint venture correctional Centre’s, private sector may need to partnership with the
state to use correctional centers inmates to labour in the manufacture of goods for
private entities which may prepare the inmates for real work outside of prison while also
utilising the existing workforce in prison. This sets if partnership in South Africa need the
partnerships as it is an extension of the department or the state to represent money well
spent. This sets of partnership improved by making a cost-effective correctional system
by having more accommodation provided by the private sector which wouldn’t be
possible with government alone, such partnerships may need to be increased in South
Africa which can also address issues of overcrowding in prisons. The partnerships
provide empowering environments for inmates while education can be provided for free,
the partnership also have to rightfully compensate the inmates for the work they do,
rehabilitation in these facilities might not be cost effective for lifelong inmates and that
should be looked at. (20)
Question 2
Developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to monitor and report
publicly on correctional centre conditions in a country is essential in
transformation. Given the literature at your disposal, do your think South Africa is
successful in this venture? (5)
Regular monitoring and reporting in conditions in correctional centers is essential in
order to limit or reduce human rights abuses in prison and allowing prison issues to
reach the public who will ensure the matters are dealt with. This may also reduce high
levels of crime happening within those correctional centers, south Africa is not doing so
well In this venture as the prisons conditions in south Africa are particularly dire with
overcrowding in the facilities a lot can happen without being effectively reported, the
facilities in SA have poor ventilations, insufficient supervision which leads to ineffective
2
STUDENT NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: PEN1503
UNIQUE NUMBER: 711517
ASSIGNMENT NO: 06 (SUPPLEMENTARY EXAM)
DUE DATE: 28 OCTOBER 2022
PART 1: TRANSFORMATION IN SOUTH AFRICAN CORRECTIONAL CENTRES
Background
Question 1
Transformation has a lot of different meanings in a variety of environments.
Therefore, correctional services are daily challenged to transform and adapt to
change. The module site for PEN1503, Correctional Skills, provides several
resources on transformation in correctional centres in South Africa. The
following broad areas are identified as areas in need of transformation. For each
identified area, indicate and discuss the aspect that needs to receive attention
a) Overcrowding (5)
In order to transform correctional services in South Africa and address the challenge of
overcrowding in the facilities, these strategies may include the expansion of correctional
service infrastructures to deal with overcrowding as specified by Ronald Lamola in
2019. Overcrowding rates in SA were said to be at 37% in March 2022[sanews.gov.za].
The other strategy that was employed is to move offenders within correctional centers to
manage the number of inmates in different spaces. The other strategy would be to deal
with the corruption within the correctional service were resources are squandered which
are meant to improving and expanding the correctional service centers. Diverting minor
cases out of the criminal justice system could be a strategy they could look at also and
investing in strategies for crime prevention that will in turn reduce overcrowding in the
facilities
b) Legislation (5)
In terms of legislation, we should remember that the correctional service aim is to
contribute towards maintaining and protecting a peaceful environment in the
correctional facilities, while maintain a safe society in prisons. By imposing court-
imposed sentences and ensuring that inmates are detained in a safe environment while
considering their human rights and human dignity and developing in them a sense of
social responsibility. Reforms such as developing prison libraries, separation of the sick
and reduction of beatings may need to be in place. it will also be important to create
1
, legislations allowing Diverting minor cases out of the criminal justice system could be a
strategy they could look at also and investing in strategies for crime prevention.
c) Correctional Management Philosophies (5)
In order to improve the correctional management philosophy in South Africa, custodial
and treatment philosophy have to be improved. To make the manager of correctional
services in south Africa to be functional, we will need to make some changes on the
retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation and incapacitation strategies, in terms of
rehabilitation only it may mean the correctional service itself needs to start to see the
inmates as human as they are and not animals, they should introduce art in correctional
facilities, substance use disorder treatment programs and introduce career technical
education. This all may create a safe environment in this facility and also ensure the
correctional services facilities are functional.
d) Technology (5)
In joint venture correctional Centre’s, private sector may need to partnership with the
state to use correctional centers inmates to labour in the manufacture of goods for
private entities which may prepare the inmates for real work outside of prison while also
utilising the existing workforce in prison. This sets if partnership in South Africa need the
partnerships as it is an extension of the department or the state to represent money well
spent. This sets of partnership improved by making a cost-effective correctional system
by having more accommodation provided by the private sector which wouldn’t be
possible with government alone, such partnerships may need to be increased in South
Africa which can also address issues of overcrowding in prisons. The partnerships
provide empowering environments for inmates while education can be provided for free,
the partnership also have to rightfully compensate the inmates for the work they do,
rehabilitation in these facilities might not be cost effective for lifelong inmates and that
should be looked at. (20)
Question 2
Developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to monitor and report
publicly on correctional centre conditions in a country is essential in
transformation. Given the literature at your disposal, do your think South Africa is
successful in this venture? (5)
Regular monitoring and reporting in conditions in correctional centers is essential in
order to limit or reduce human rights abuses in prison and allowing prison issues to
reach the public who will ensure the matters are dealt with. This may also reduce high
levels of crime happening within those correctional centers, south Africa is not doing so
well In this venture as the prisons conditions in south Africa are particularly dire with
overcrowding in the facilities a lot can happen without being effectively reported, the
facilities in SA have poor ventilations, insufficient supervision which leads to ineffective
2
