Outonomie in gevangeskap : 'n ekosistemiese perspektief

Abstract

Die tradisionele Newtoniaanse wetenskapsbeskouing berus op drie basiese aannames, naamlik lineere oorsaaklikheid, reduksionisme en objektiwiteit. Ernstige kritiek word al hoe meer teen hierdie basiese aannames van die Newtoniaanse benadering geopper. Veral vanuit die sistemiese en ekosistemiese benaderings is alternatiewelike denkraamwerke tot hierdie benadering voorgestel. Die mees kontemporere denkraamwerk (epistemologie), naamlik die ekosistemiese benadering, is gebaseer op outonomie, struktuurgedetermineerdheid, attribusie van betekenis en konstruktivisme. Hierdie ekosistemiese beginsels is in hierdie studie gebruik om gevangenisproblematiek (wat tot op hede gekenmerk was deur Newtoniaanse denke) te herkonseptualiseer. Die nuwe konseptualisering is prakties in die psigoterapeutiese proses met gevangenes ge'lllustreer. In hierdie proses is outonomie op drie vlakke (die van gevangene, terapeut en gevangenisstelsel) bevorder. Hierdie konseptualisering skyn dus 'n wetenskaplikverantwoordbare basis te bied waarbinne gevangenisstelsels beskou kan word.

The traditional Newtonian approach to science is based on three fundamental assumtions, namely linear causality, reductionism and objectivity. Serious criticism is increasingly being brought against these fundamental assumptions of the Newtonian approach. Specifically the systemic and ecosystemic approaches have presented alternative ways of thought (epistemology). The mos t contemporary epistemology, namely the ecosystemic approach, is based on autonomy, structure-determinism, attribution of meaning and constructivism. These ecosystemic principles were used in this study to reconceptualize problems associated with prisoners, problems previously approached in a Newtonian way. This new conceptualization was practically illustrated in the psychotherapeutic process with prisoners. In this process autonomy of the prisoner, therapist and the prison system was promoted. This conceptualization present a scientifically justified basis for thinking about correctional systems.