Explore publications.

The mandate of correctional services is to uphold and advance a just, peaceful, and secure society by ensuring that the corrections environment is secure, safe, and humane, while ideally rehabilitating criminals to minimise their probability of re-offending. Realising these objectives necessitates a shift from the traditional correctional system to a digital, intelligent, and data-driven approach, encompassing the gathering and analysis of information within correctional facilities to identify and mitigate hazards. Intelligence-driven corrections deploy correctional intelligence, data analysis, specialized software, and databases for mapping complicated relationships, assessing forensic evidence, and exchanging information across jurisdictions. They apply data analytics to foresee prospective dangers, such as the likelihood of violence, contraband introduction, or jail riots. The research examines enhanced corrections and intelligence-based advances in modern correctional services. A mixed-method approach was utilised, integrating qualitative and quantitative designs. Interviews, surveys, and secondary data were employed. The research indicated that more intelligent corrections utilise technology and data to oversee inmates, personnel, and visitors, minimise expenses, and enhance public safety and security. Intelligence-driven corrections utilise gathered and analysed intelligence to guide decision-making and resource distribution within correctional facilities, hence improving safety and security by recognising dangers and thwarting criminal activity. Digital technologies improve offender management, security, safety, surveillance, and efficiency through the use of biometrics, facial recognition, artificial intelligence, data analytics, robotics, and drone detection. Artificial intelligence in correctional services improves safety through real-time behaviour surveillance and incident identification, enhances efficiency by automating administrative functions, and offers personalised rehabilitation through customised educational and mental health initiatives, ultimately seeking to diminish recidivism. Blockchain technology in correctional systems provides improved security, transparency, and efficiency, especially in monitoring inmate movements and preserving the integrity of evidence. Evidence-based risk assessment facilitates tailored rehabilitation programs that aid in crime reduction. The study advocated for the adoption and implementation of advanced correction methods, intelligence-driven strategies, technological innovations, and digital devices to improve safety and security in South Africa, other African countries, and worldwide.

The purpose of this study was to identify and assess the specific challenges faced by incarcerated students in a distance learning environment and to explore effective strategies for managing their academic endeavors. The study intentionally selected twelve incarcerated inmates who were currently enrolled in various educational programs. The data were acquired through the process of conducting audio-recorded interviews, which were then transcribed verbatim by a proficient transcriber. The author employed an interpretive paradigm to examine the data and derive significant conclusions. The findings demonstrated that the amalgamation of resilience and determination had a crucial role in empowering students to overcome the barriers impeding their education. In addition, students have employed controlled internet access in prisons and the incorporation of technology-enhanced learning alongside traditional classroom teaching as essential methods to properly manage their academic studies. These strategies prioritize the need to enhance the accessibility of educational resources and support networks within prisons in order to enhance the educational accomplishments of incarcerated individuals. The study's findings suggest that it is crucial to make practical and policy changes in order to effectively meet the specific needs of incarcerated students engaged in remote learning programs.  Typical barriers include (i) restricted technology access, (ii) limited finances, and (iii) the challenge of staying focused in a distracting setting. Notwithstanding these challenges, the participants shown exceptional tenacity and resolve, utilizing diverse tactics to effectively handle their academic pursuits. The success of these individuals was influenced by several key variables, such as the assistance provided by prison education officers, the capacity to effectively employ restricted technical tools, and the self-discipline to establish organized study routines.

Abstract Although significant research has already been conducted on the intricacies of the criminal record in South Africa and internationally, literature points to a disjuncture between research and policy, especially around topics relating to access to higher education (HE) and admission to professional registration councils by formerly incarcerated students (FIS) with a criminal record. This qualitative case study incorporated a discourse analysis approach to determine the tone of 23 policy documents. In addition, twelve participants were purposefully sampled to share their lived experiences regarding the regulation and reintegration of FIS when applying for admission to HE and professional registration councils and potential employment upon completion of their studies. The findings indicate that the construction of legal documents and application forms allows higher education institutions and professional registration councils to access students' personal data, such as their criminal records. This leads to implementing measures that exclude certain individuals, which in turn obstructs the effective social reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into the workforce. The study recommends the implementation of a South African research-based HE policy aimed at addressing the systemic injustices that regulate the simultaneous admission and rejection of FIS when applying to access HE and admission to professional registration councils. Keywords: higher education, professional registration councils, criminal record checks, offender reintegration, South Africa.

In democratic South Africa, there has been a shift from the punishment of offenders to the rehabilitation approach and a change from prisons to correctional centres. Once someone becomes an offender, the person goes through rehabilitation and not punishment. This paper discusses the influence of the immediate environment on the rehabilitation of paroles in Brits area of North-West Province in South Africa, a poverty-stricken area with limited resources. A qualitative approach and an exploratory descriptive design were utilised to describe the parolees’ experiences of parole in a low-resourced community. One-on-one in-depth interviews were used to collect data which were then analysed thematically and backed by existing literature. The findings of the study showed that environmental factors play a role in offending and rehabilitation of offenders in low-resourced areas. The paper makes critical recommendations for consideration by parole officials and researchers to facilitate the effective rehabilitation of offenders in low-resourced areas.

Over the three decades, the democratic dispensation ushered in transformative constitutionalism which is an ideal model to anchor constitutionalism and respect for human rights in South Africa. Female offenders are the key informants of this study, as they are the end-users of the rehabilitation programmes that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) offers. A qualitative technique was used for this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 10 female ex-offenders, who have been enrolled in rehabilitative programmes were selected using purposive sampling to explore their experiences and or views. The findings of this study indicate that lack of offense-specific programmes s results in recidivism and offenders re-entering the correctional system to repeat the same programmes to meet their parole requirements. Furthermore, highlighted in the findings is the magnitude of the lack of understanding among most criminal justice professionals regarding the actual need for the programmes earmarked for female offenders. The risk factors of female offending identified within this study include poverty, anger, and drug use. Although the DCS has firm policy documents in place, implementing these has failed the offenders and negatively impacted recidivism rates.

Female offenders are distinctly different from male offenders, and present with their own gender-specific needs and issues both in and out of the correctional setting. Most approaches to Coping Mechanisms for female offenders are currently based on research involving males and approaches designed for males. Inquiry regarding the gender-specific needs of female inmates as they pertain to treatment, reentry programs, and Coping Mechanisms is necessary so professionals can better understand how to serve this population. This study investigated the Coping Mechanisms Adopted by Women ex-offenders in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study specifically investigated the effects of not addressing the challenges identified for women returning from prison in Nyeri County especially challenges connected to housing, employment, relationships, drug, and substance abuse as well as mental health after incarceration. This was a qualitative study adopting a phenomenological design. The site and respondents were purposively selected with snowballing being used to select the respondents to the point of saturation. This study made use of 41 women ex-convicts, 3 FGDs, and 9 key informants. Data were collected by the use of semi-structured interview schedules. Results indicated that currently, prison is negatively viewed by the community; this is primarily because of the isolation of prisoners and whatever happens behind the bars. The government should involve other sectors such as the churches, the media, schools, and Non- Governmental Organizations in educating the masses in order to ease the re-entry of ex-convicts

The comparative rate of women entering the formal correctional system and serving custodial sentences, both in prison and prison remand awaiting trial, is on the increase. This is accompanied by a similarly increasing number of women eventually exiting prisons annually. This study investigated the challenges influencing reentry of women ex-offenders in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study specifically investigated the effects of not addressing the challenges identified for women returning from prison in Nyeri County especially challenges connected to housing, employment, relationships, drug, and substance abuse as well as mental health after incarceration.  This was a qualitative study adopting a phenomenological design.  The site and respondents were purposively selected with snowballing being used to select the respondents to the point of saturation. This study made use of 41 women ex-convicts, 3 FGDs, and 9 key informants. Data were collected by use of semi-structured interview schedules. Results indicated that ex-offenders face various challenges upon release from prison. The effects of these challenges when not addressed the impact the individual self, their family, the community, and predisposed the ex-convicts to a high propensity for recidivism. Based on the findings it is suggested that the use of community corrections, adjusting prison training to market needs, and the use of victim-offender mediation can be better alternatives to incarceration.