Abstract:
Correctional Service inmate rehabilitation and rising issues of recidivism have been
of interest within the Justice System with the mind to improve and ensure not only
functionality but the effectiveness of every effort put toward rehabilitating inmates.
Individuals are not convicted with the intention of closing them off from society
completely, but to have their abnormal behavior corrected (this speaks to effective
rehabilitation programmes and successful re-entry). Inevitably, this makes the
parole period pivotal for assessing these programmes and why rehabilitation is not
directly resulting in successful re-entry since parolees are more at risk to reoffend,
making up the rising margin of recidivism of over 70% in South Africa. It then
becomes significant to look into whether rehabilitative programmes are effective
according to individuals who have practically been on the receiving end.
This study investigated the lived experiences that recidivist parolees had of
rehabilitation by taking a closer look at their lived experiences. This was
qualitatively realized by employing to the study: interpretive phenomenological
design. From a population of recidivist parolees residing in Vhembe District, after
agreeing to participate in the study, a sample of 10 participants was interviewed (in
accordance to data saturation) which were attained through the snowball sampling
technique. From this sample, data was collected through the use of semi-structured
open-ended interviews and analyzed through interpretive phenomenological
analysis. This process yielded the following results.
Generally, participants felt that rehabilitation programmes are not effective and play
a very small role in influencing change. This is a similar case with re-entry into
society. In light of this, participants reported that they have difficulty fitting into
society as normal members because of social stigma, chronic trauma, not getting
enough support after release and not being eligible for employment. Participants
also reported irregular administration and accessibility of the programmes for all
inmates. In light of these results, rehabilitation should be compulsory for all inmates
and should also include post arrest programmes.
