Spiritual care of women in South African prisons : historical development and current situation

Abstract

This article provides a short history of female imprisonment and the role that religion and spiritual care have played and may play in the lives of female prisoners in the South African context. This is illustrated by reflecting briefly on the role of religion in Sister Bernard Ncube’s life during her detention as a political activist. The article also reflects on the current situation in female prisons and the transformation that is taking place, in that women are now being allowed to act as spiritual caregivers. Information provided by the Department of Correctional Services on spiritual care for women is analysed and further illustrated by means of facts gleaned from research undertaken in female prisons by the author. The role that spiritual care plays in the rehabilitation of female offenders is also discussed.