Reducing recidivism in South Africa: towards a needs-based approach to the rehabilitation of offenders

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Date

2024

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

University of the Western Cape

Abstract

The Department of Correctional Services (hereafter, DCS) rehabilitation programmes and treatments frequently address one issue while ignoring others. Therefore, although existing rehabilitation programmes aim to prepare the offender for reintegration into society, these programmes frequently concentrate solely on one facet of an individual’s challenges while overlooking the complexities of their issues and any accompanying disorders they may have. This one-size-fits-all approach is detrimental to offenders striving to break the cycle of release and re-arrest. When attempting to reintegrate into society, prisoners encounter several psychological and social issues which contribute to high recidivism rates. Reducing offenders' high recidivism necessitates concentrating on sociodemographic factors as well as providing offenders with a range of rehabilitation programmes tailored to their unique needs.

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Keywords

Correctional Services Act, Criminal Justice System, Department of Correctional Services, Mental Health, Offender Rehabilitation

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