The application of case management in private and public correctional centres of South Africa

Abstract

One of the main objectives of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in South Africa is the rehabilitation of offenders, and it is also the primary concern of the public and the community at large. To provide a custodial, developmental, religious care, and treatment programmes for offenders is one main aim of the application of case management. Punishment is not the purpose of the DCS. But it is to protect the public and promote social responsibility. It is meant to enhance the human development in an environment that is conducive to motivate offenders to develop their potential and prevent recidivism. During the case management process a multidisciplinary team that consist of social workers, psychologists, chaplains, educators, correctional officers, and other (the external community) addresses the basic needs of offenders. In partnership with the community rehabilitation is provided through treatment and development programmes to enhance personal and social functioning and to prepare them to reintegrate into the community as well-adapted and law-abiding citizens. The rehabilitation of offenders has been placed on the centre of all activities by the DCS through the strategy of an offender rehabilitation plan also known as offender rehabilitation path that gives an offender the general understanding of the rehabilitation process from admission until his/her release from sentence (South African DCS, 2007: 41). To prevent offenders from going outside the correctional centre worse that when the first time they came into detention. Rehabilitation programmes that consist of arts and culture, health, care, training kills, sport, education, psychological treatment, maintenance of family, culture opportunities and community links can help to prevent offenders from better to worse situation.