The support of juvenile offender learners regarding the emotional and spiritual wellness in a Gauteng correctional school

Abstract

The study aims at investigating the emotional and spiritual wellness of juvenile offender learners in a Gauteng correctional school. The theoretical framework used in this study was derived from Hettler’s Wellness theory. The study is embedded in an interpretive paradigm and it followed a qualitative research method. A phenomenological case study was used since the focus was on one correctional school. Purposive sampling was used whereby a teacher, counsellor and learners were sampled and all participated on a voluntary basis. Interviews were used for data collection and approximately 30-45 minutes in duration. Data were analysed manually and findings revealed that peer pressure, substance abuse and poor family background troubled juvenile offender learners. Furthermore, anger and hatred led juveniles to commit crime. They all regret of their actions and they need to be loved, valued, and accepted by the community. Above all, juvenile offender learners want their parents to support them while they are incarcerated. Because of lack of parental support, juvenile offender learners express their emotions through fighting among themselves. After incarceration, many start to believe in God and regularly attend meetings organised by faith-based organisations and because of that, their lives are being transformed for the better, as they are able to read the Bible and share scriptures on their own on a daily basis. They hope the DCS will make spiritual sessions compulsory for all offenders and religious education to be included in their school curriculum to eliminate gangsterism in the centre. Frequent pastoral visits and Bible donations were highlighted as one of the guidelines to support their spiritual needs.