http://hdl.handle.net/10500/507 Electronic versions of theses and dissertations submitted to Unisa since 2003 Wed, 22 May 2013 20:48:40 GMT 2013-05-22T20:48:40Z http://hdl.handle.net/10500/9600 The professional role of the correctional officer in the rehabilitation of offenders Motetoa, Julie Mathuetsi Corrections has always been conventionally known as an occupational discipline and not a profession. The organization of corrections has been spoken of as a penitentiary, bearing in mind that the models of the buildings were meant for punishment; with correctional officers recognized as guards. The role of the guards was that of the keeper of the keys and their duty was mainly custodial in nature. The occupation was mainly attractive to white males with a record of unemployment and not much education. The occupation was stable, and did not require for any extra skill. Certain researchers believe that the selection methods for prison warders were extremely relaxed with a small amount of empirical validity. There was also thinking that a correctional officer needed a 20/20 vision and an IQ of an imbecile. Conversely, it has been perceived that a correctional officer can be the most significant individual in the offender’s life, having an influence in refining or declining the success of the different treatment programs that an offender undergoes (Josi & Sechrest, 1998, p. 3). Corrections is a human service occupation. Therefore, human service workers need to have knowledge of human behaviour and be able to assess their perspectives on any behaviour wisely and thus formulate reliable estimations. This will give them the opportunity to enjoy suitable decision making powers and formulate a trend on professional behaviour. Their knowledge of human behaviour will also strengthen the capability to foresee behaviour and give special knowledge to prevent any hesitancy (Williamson, 1990, p. 43). The role of the correctional officers (security staff) has intensely changed over the past few decades. The correctional officer is in today's corrections, expected to balance security and still be responsible for changing the behaviour of offenders constructively (Josi & Sechrest, 1998, p. 11). In order to have a comprehensive understanding of the distinctive and contradictory role of the correctional officer, it is very important to appreciate the changes that have transpired in penal philosophy all through the centuries. Throughout the research, the researcher will make an effort to capture the heritage of corrections and the evolving systems of punishment of Europe, the United States of America and South Africa and look at the applications of the rehabilitation concept and how the Correctional Officer has been utilised as a skilled and knowledgeable professional in the whole process. The aim of the research being to determine the effect that correctional and professional officers have on rehabilitation of offenders and determine the process by which the Correctional environment can be transformed to a true profession of highest integrity and competence. Objectives for the study will be: • To analyse the history and development of Corrections internationally and its philosophical background • To examine the impact of the history of rehabilitation in the South African Corrections system, from the development of the first prisons in 1652 to the demilitarisation of prisons system in the 1990s, right through to the actualisation of the South African White Paper on Corrections, 2005 • To critically examine the professional status of the Corrections occupation against other existing professions. The issues on education, training, credentialing, autonomy, code of ethics and special expertise are some of the aspects that will be looked at as the primary criterion for professions • To explain the conception of rehabilitation and its development and application both internationally and nationally • To critically look at the importance of Corrections system while highlighting the mandated role of the Correctional officer and the duality of the role of balancing security and rehabilitation. The study will contribute on the basis of knowledge in particular regard to Education and Training of Correctional Officers. A model will be developed for South African Correctional Services Systems and predominant focus will be on the performance and education and training of Correctional Officers in South Africa.; No keywords presented in thesis Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10500/9600 2013-05-21T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10500/9503 Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards voluntary HIV counselling and testing among adolescents of a senior high school in Nigeria Mayaki, Toluwalase Feyisetan Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV is a vital tool in HIV prevention and care, available information indicates low uptake among Nigerian adolescents despite effort at combating the scourge of HIV/AIDS. A cross sectional quantitative descriptive study was conducted to describe the knowledge, understand the attitudes and practices of VCT among adolescents of senior high school in Nigeria with the aim of informing VCT services and policies. A systematic random sampling of 100 adolescents was done and data collected by means of structured self-administered questionnaires. The study revealed inadequate knowledge on VCT among the study participants which is probably responsible for their poor VCT uptake. Free VCT services and availability of VCT services within the school are factors that could motivate VCT uptake among the students. There is need to enhance dissemination of VCT information among youth and create youth-friendly VCT services to increase VCT uptake among adolescents Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10500/9503 2013-05-16T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10500/9495 Molecular epidemiology of rotavirus infection in Gauteng and the surrounding areas during the 2010 and 2011 seasons Theron, Elizabeth Maria Charlotte Rotavirus infection causes acute gastroenteritis in children younger than five years of age, and commonly occurring human rotavirus strains include G1 - G4 and G9 associated with P[4], P[6] and P[8]. In this study, of 6050 stool samples collected from a Private Pathology Practice in Pretoria, March 2010 - August 2011, 664 tested positive using Coris test-strips. Of these samples, 752 were retested using EIA and, results showed: Coris sensitivity was 93,7% and specificity 99,8%; the winter epidemic peaked in July of both years; more males and children under 30 months of age were particularly vulnerable to infections. Rotavirus-positive samples from Trichardt, Rustenburg and Middelburg were analysed by PAGE and RT-PCR showing circulating strains as mainly G8P[4] (60%) with short electropherotypes, G12P[8] (66%) with long electropherotypes, and G1P[8] at low incidence in the 2010/2011 seasons. These results suggest additional research to monitor the impacts of recently introduced rotavirus vaccines on changing strain profiles in South African communities Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10500/9495 2013-05-16T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10500/9492 The public accountability of secondary schools in the Johannesburg North District Dladla, Jacob Mshado Japie This study was undertaken with the purpose of analysing the public accountability system of secondary schools in the Johannesburg North District. It also tested the relationship between the accountability system and the effectiveness and efficiency of secondary schools. Over and above principals, learners and parents, the study also utilised numerous published literature to analyse the current accountability system. The findings of the empirical study revealed that there were disparities between the literature review and the current accountability system. Three major findings were made by this study. Firstly, there is a lack of synergy between internal and external accountability systems. Secondly, there are different accountability systems used by different secondary schools in the same District and lastly grade twelve results are used to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of secondary schools in the chosen District. In conclusion, proposals which may assist in improving the current accountability system were made. Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10500/9492 2013-05-16T00:00:00Z