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“We are human too”: a narrative analysis of rehabilitation experiences by women classified as maximum security offenders in the Johannesburg Correctional Centre

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dc.contributor.advisor Segalo, Puleng Josephine
dc.contributor.author Qhogwana, Sibulelo Agatha
dc.date.accessioned 2017-05-24T06:25:22Z
dc.date.available 2017-05-24T06:25:22Z
dc.date.issued 2017-03
dc.identifier.citation Qhogwana, Sibulelo Agatha (2017) “We are Human too”: A narrative analysis of rehabilitation experiences by women classified as maximum security offenders in the Johannesburg Correctional Centre, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/22597>
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10500/22597
dc.description Text in English en
dc.description.abstract While correctional centres are often associated with men, there is an increasing number of incarcerated women who have rehabilitation needs that are specific to their gender. Historically correctional centres have responded through offering rehabilitative programmes that stereotyped women offenders into socially constructed gender roles. Using a feminist criminology framework, the current study aimed to explore the subjective inner experience and meaning given by women classified as maximum security offenders to the rehabilitation processes in the Johannesburg Correctional Centre. Data was collected from 18 incarcerated women who are and were once classified as maximum offenders. A narrative analysis was used in understanding the data from the interviews. Women’s narratives in the current study reflect unique and common experiences with rehabilitation in the correctional centre. Being a maximum security offender presents a challenge of further perceived discrimination, alienation and isolation amongst women who describe limited involvement in rehabilitation as a result of this identity. Also highlighted in the study are challenges in implementing gender sensitive programming in a penal system infused with power dynamics; a discipline and punish narrative; patriarchy; binary view of gender and ethnocentrism. A continued reinforcement of traditional structures, systems and practices that seek to perpetuate gendered form of existence is also evident in the current study. Therefore, a need for the reformation of the correctional centre context and culture is suggested so as to respond in a manner that is not only gender sensitive, but also inclusive enough in recognising both in theory and in practice, the various locations of inequality in society that influence female criminality. The principle of Ubuntu demonstrated through caring, compassion and hospitability which empowers and edifies the other person through interrelatedness is one of the promising initiatives that can guide correctional centres and society in the implementation of gender sensitive programmes, while paying attention to the socio-cultural dynamics that influence women’s pathways to crime. en
dc.format.extent 1 online resource (x, 219 pages) : illustrations (some color)
dc.language.iso en en
dc.subject Correctional centre en
dc.subject Gender-sensitive en
dc.subject Maximum security offender rehabilitation en
dc.subject Ubuntu en
dc.subject Women en
dc.subject.ddc 365.66108209682215
dc.subject.ddc South Africa. Department of Correctional Services en
dc.subject.ddc Johannesburg Correctional Centre en
dc.subject.ddc Female offenders -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa -- Johannesburg en
dc.subject.ddc Female offenders -- Counseling of -- South Africa -- Johannesburg en
dc.subject.ddc Women prisoners -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa -- Johannesburg en
dc.subject.ddc Women prisoners -- Services for -- South Africa -- Johannesburg en
dc.subject.ddc Recidivism -- South Africa -- Johannesburg -- Prevention en
dc.subject.ddc Social work with criminals -- South Africa -- Johannesburg en
dc.title “We are human too”: a narrative analysis of rehabilitation experiences by women classified as maximum security offenders in the Johannesburg Correctional Centre en
dc.type Thesis en
dc.description.department Psychology en
dc.description.degree D. Phil. (Psychology)


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