The sexual assault and rape of male offenders and awaiting-trial detainees

In this study the nature and extent of the sexual assault and rape of male sentenced offenders and awaiting-trial detainees in Pretoria Local Correctional Centre were investigated. Prison gangs, overcrowding of correctional centres, the involvement of correctional officials and the sexual orientation of the potential victim were highlighted as risk factors in the sexual assault and rape of male offenders and awaiting-trial detainees. As this study focused on both the victim and the offender of male-on-male sexual assault and rape, both victimological and criminological theories were used as a theoretical basis. Creswell’s dominant-less-dominant model of combination was used in this study, with the dominant model being the qualitative methodology, and the less-dominant model the quantitative methodology. Non-purposive sampling was used, as the researcher could not identify the victims and/or perpetrators of male-on-male sexual assault and rape individually. In order to obtain in-depth information on the research participants’ experiences of sexual activities and rape in the correctional centre, face-to-face structured interviews were conducted with one hundred research participants. After the analysis and interpretation of the data, it became evident that male-on-male sexual assault and rape, as well as consensual sexual activities, do occur in this correctional centre. Research participants highlighted four types of sexual engagements in this correctional centre, namely the need for emotional sex, survival sex, compliant sex and forced sexual acts. The reasons offered for the occurrence of rape in this correctional centre include that an agreement had not been reached between inmates and because of that the rape will take place, corruption by correctional officials, the involvement of prison gangs and the use of deception by the perpetrators. Six research participants revealed that they had been the victims of rape. All the victims were raped within days or weeks after their arrival at the correctional centre. Five of the victims did not receive medical treatment after the rape, and none of the victims received counselling or therapy after the rape. Five of the research participants reported that they had sexually assaulted and/or raped other inmates. Four of the perpetrators were awaiting trial for an aggressive offence (armed robbery) and one for a sexual offence (rape). The perpetrators forced their victims to engage in oral sex, inter-femoral sex and anal sex. The aims of the study were reached and recommendations for further research were also made. Emanating from the feedback of the participants as well as the literature review, the researcher developed an Offender Sexual Assault Protocol. The Department of Correctional Services can use this protocol to reduce and manage sexual assault and rape in male correctional facilities.Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2009.Social Work and Criminologyunrestricte

Correctional criminology : an innovative South African practice

In South Africa, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) presents a platform for criminological research, practice and expertise. Working with offenders offer criminologists an opportunity to link theory with practice, test and explore theoretical frameworks, and gain practical experience in working with, understanding and explaining criminal behaviour. In South Africa, criminological expertise has been offered to DCS since the middle 1990s. These criminological contributions assist DCS with overburdened case loads and the criminological involvement contributes to vital multidisciplinary inputs regarding offending behaviour and the rehabilitation of offenders. Correctional Criminology entails various forms of expert assistance to DCS regarding offenders and offending behaviour. One such is criminological offender assessments and profiling. Another criminological contribution concerns the rehabilitation and preparation of offenders for reintegration and the physical and emotional health of offenders (i.e. prison rape issues) in correctional facilities. This article briefly outlines international Correctional Criminology trends while alluding to unique (selected) South African criminological practices in corrections. The article further explores and describes South African criminologists specialising in Correctional Criminology.http://www.crimsa.ac.za/acta.htmlam201

When parents interchange love with abuse : an analysis of parental-child abuse for correctional intervention

A great deal is known about child abuse, especially the devastating effect of abuse on the child. Substantial national and international research on child abuse exits that focuses on the child as the victim. However, less attention has been paid to really understanding the abuser. This is especially true regarding the parent-child abuser in terms of abuse onset, motives, triggers, and the specific life path and influences that contributed to, and shaped the parent into a child abuser. This article presents a case study of a parent-child abuser’s life journey, influences and crimes from a qualitative-criminological perspective. The mother’s distinctive needs and risks for rehabilitation efforts are derived from her life path, while practical and achievable treatment strategies are recommended and put forward to serve as indicators for effective intervention efforts. The authors furthermore allude to the effects of the abuse on the child victims and the cycle of abuse.http://www.sapsac.co.za/carsa.htmlam2016Social Work and Criminolog

An exploratory study of sex and rape behind bars in a South African prison

This study explores male inmates’ perceptions of sex and rape in a South African correctional center (prison). In South Africa, consensual sex between inmates is prohibited by the Department of Correctional Services and inmates are therefore reluctant to report on such activities. Furthermore, the prison code of silence and the shame from being the victim of a prison rape make this an exceptionally challenging topic to research. Despite these challenges, 100 face-to-face interviews were conducted with male inmates (children, juveniles, and adults) who were either awaiting trial or already sentenced for a criminal offence. The main focus was on their general viewpoints of consensual sex between men and prison rape victimization. This study was an exploratory study and because of the size of the sample this study cannot be generalized. It does, however, offer valuable insight into the prison subculture’s unwritten rules about sex and rape.http://icj.sagepub.comhb201

Sex, drugs and tattooing in correctional facilities and the relationship to STIs, HIV and AIDS

One of the biggest challenges correctional centres face is to manage behaviour that could be life threatening and potentially dangerous to their inmate populations. Although assaults and stabbings occur quite frequently it is the behaviour where there are in some cases consent involved that challenge the safe governance of inmates. Although consensual sexual intercourse, rape, tattooing and injecting drug use occur in corrections, it is strictly prohibited by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). Notwithstanding the outlawed status of these activities, it seems like it occurs unabated anyway. These activities are a high-risk for the exposure and transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), also known as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) during an offender’s period of incarceration. This study explores offender perspectives on the causes of STIs, HIV and AIDS in a South African correctional centre. Creswell’s dominant-less-dominant mixed methodology strategy was followed. By using a structured interview schedule 100 face-to-face interviews were conducted with male offenders comprising of child, juvenile and adult remand detainees, as well as juvenile and adult sentenced offenders. The research participants identified sexual intercourse (consensual and coerced) as the major contributory risk factor to their exposure to and transmission of STIs, HIV and AIDS. This article also presents an overview of studies by other scholars on sex, tattooing and drug use in correctional settings.http://www.crimsa.ac.za/acta.htmlam201

Adult female rape victims' views about the Thuthuzela Care Centres : a South African multi-disciplinary service delivery model

The article explores adult female rape victims’ views about the Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) service delivery model as a multidisciplinary one-stop centre for victims of sexual offences and domestic violence. The research primarily followed a descriptive purpose, although some of the components were exploratory in nature. Adult female rape survivors were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire with the assistance of staff located at a specific TCC. Hence, the data were collected at four TCCs in the Gauteng province, South Africa, during 2012-2014. The research results indicated that service delivery was experienced as satisfactory and that a positive relationship existed between the victim and TCC staff. Forty-five research respondents participated in the study.This article is a follow-up review of a previously published article titled: The views of adult female rape survivors about the Constitutional and Human Rights of themselves and alleged sex offenders.http://www.crimsa.ac.za/acta.htmlam2016Social Work and Criminolog

Risk factors and circumstances surrounding suicides in correctional centres in Gauteng, South Africa

Suicides occur in correctional centres even though the behaviour of offenders is supposed to be closely monitored and regulated. The present study set out to identify and describe the risk factors and circumstances surrounding suicides in selected correctional centres in Gauteng (Johannesburg, Zonderwater, Boksburg and Kgosi Mampuru II). Qualitative methods, in particular semi-structured interview and focus group strategies, were followed to obtain data from two psychologists, two social workers, nine case management officers and twelve offenders. In addition, the case files of eight offenders who committed suicide in a correctional centre were scrutinised for information regarding their backgrounds, mental health, contact with their families, sentences and parole applications. The study identified an array of risk factors associated with suicide in correctional centres that can be categorised in terms of individual, interpersonal and structural contributors. Important risk factors include contact with families, mental health, type of cell accommodated in, access to prescription medication and overcrowding. The general strain and escape theories are used to explain the phenomenon of suicide in correctional centres.http://www.crimsa.ac.za/acta.htmlhb201

Adult female rape survivors' views about the constitutional, human rights and compulsory HIV testing of alleged sex offenders

The reality of rape as a direct form of contact crime remains deeply entrenched in South African communities, despite numerous efforts from various governmental stakeholders to curb this heinous crime. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act (32 of 2007), came into effect in 2007 as a strategic approach to prevent secondary victimisation of a victim of sexual offence through the Criminal Justice System (CJS). One of the strategies employed in the aforementioned Act, is the compulsory Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing of alleged sex offenders. The compulsory HIV testing of an alleged sex offender evoked controversy pertaining to its efficiency and the human rights violations that might be incurred upon the alleged accused. This article will highlight the subjective perceptions of adult female rape survivors towards their rights and the rights of alleged sex offenders following rape. The research was conducted at four Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) in the Gauteng province, which are one stop multi-disciplinary state-owned facilities providing medico-legal services for victims of sexual offences in South Africa. The study was exploratory- descriptive in nature within a positivistic paradigm. Quantitative research methods were employed, with the aid of a self-administered questionnaire as a measuring instrument given to adult female rape survivors to complete. Forty-five research respondents participated in the study. This article thus serves as one of two domains under investigation relating to the current study.http://www.crimsa.ac.za/acta.htmlam2016Social Work and CriminologyStatistic

The crime-related views of first-year criminology students attending two parallel-medium South African universities

In addition to the provision of tertiary education, Institutions of Higher Education are expected to instil critical and independent thinking skills in students. Students often bring into the learning environment their own subjective views about the world they live in. We conducted a self-administered survey among 867 first-year students registered for Criminology at two parallel-medium universities (University of the Freestate and the University of Pretoria). The aim of the study was to determine their views and perceptions about the crime phenomenon in South Africa. The survey was undertaken at the beginning of the academic year in order to minimise the possible influence of academic modules on their views and perceptions. Tests of significance (chi-square and effect size) revealed some differences in respect of the gender of students. However, significant differences mostly featured across population groups, in particular between African and White students’ views about personal safety and vulnerability to crime, the causes of crime, sentencing, law enforcement and imprisonment. In terms of the careers that students wish to pursue, differences in views appear to be influenced by their backgrounds instead of the professions they aim to fill. The findings call on Criminology lecturers to incorporate materials in their curricula that will challenge the misconceptions students may hold about crime in South Africa. In addition, platforms are needed where students can confront their own assumptions and existing beliefs about crime, ultimately to strengthen social cognition in this domain. Such activities could prove difficult in parallel-medium institutions where the languages of tuition create two discernible student profiles. Follow-up research is needed to gauge the impact of tertiary education on the crime-related views and perceptions of students.http://www.crimsa.ac.za/am2013gv201

Religion and rehabilitation in Colombian and South African prisons : a human flourishing approach

This paper examines whether and how religion contributes to prisoner rehabilitation—conceptualized as a prosocial change in self-identity, existential belief, and character based on identity theories of criminal desistance, the “Good Lives Model” of offender rehabilitation, and the concept of human flourishing. For this study, we conducted a quasi-experimental study assessing a faith-based program, “The Prisoner's Journey” (TPJ). We hypothesized that participation in TPJ increased religiosity, which in turn contributed to rehabilitation, measured by identity transformation, a new sense of meaning and purpose in life, and virtue development. It was also hypothesized that prisoner rehabilitation enhanced emotional well-being and reduced the risk of interpersonal aggression. To test our hypotheses, we applied structural equation modeling to analyze data from 506 prisoners in Colombia and South Africa, who participated in pretest and posttest surveys. As hypothesized, we found that completion of TPJ increased religiosity, which in turn fostered motivation for identity change, the perception of meaning and purpose in life, and the virtues of forgiveness, accountability, and self-control. In addition, the increased perception of meaning and purpose in life and two virtues (forgiveness and self-control) decreased negative emotions and the risk of interpersonal aggression. The implications and limitations of our study are discussed.https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ICJhj2023Social Work and Criminolog