The effect of education and training in rehabilitation of inmates and its probable curbing of recidivism : a case of community reintegration at Rooigrond Management Area

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of education and training in the rehabilitation of inmates and its probable curbing of recidivism at Rooigrond Management Area. The study determined the impact the community and other stakeholders has in placing back law abiding citizens into the community. Due to the complexity of the research two methods were adopted, viz. qualitative and quantitative methods. The research comprised of two types of respondents, sixty inmates and forty officials all from Rooigrond Management Area. The primary instrument in the study was a structured questionnaire. Instruments such as frequency distribution, cross-tabulation were utilised to analyse the data collected to this study. The chi-square was also employed to assess the statistical significance of the variables. The results of the study revealed that training facilities were inadequate and also the curbing of recidivism through rehabilitation programmes that are offered at the prison were investigated. Maintenance and sustainable policies of rehabilitation programmes as mandated by Department of Correctional Services were seen as a valuable instrument for curbing recidivism and it has also shown that it has what it takes to place back law-abiding citizens when applied correctly. The significant finding of the study is that correctional officials need to change their attitude towards inmates and to have access to the policy on Education and Training. Furthermore, it needs to be realised that rehabilitation is not the sole responsibility of the DCS but the Department of Labour, the community and other stakeholders. Inmates should also be enlightened and oriented with Education and Training programmes. Based on the study in meeting the DCS to be one of the best in the world, every member of the DCS need to know his/her duties and/or responsibilities, core values and to know exactly where the Department is heading. Therefore, every member of the DCS need to align himself or herself with the vision of the DCS that state, "To be the best in the world in delivering correctional services with integrity and commitment to excellence.