Development of a model to facilitate effective psychological services for offenders in long-term incarceration in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

The rate of incarceration is historically high. Increasingly, research points to the negative effects of incarceration among offenders, particularly in adult facilities. Literature published since 2000 suggests that incarceration fails to meet the developmental and criminogenic needs of offenders and is limited in its ability to provide appropriate rehabilitation. Incarceration often results in negative behavioural and mental health consequences such as suicidal thoughts and attempts. Suicide is often the single most common cause of death in correctional settings. The psychological impact of incarceration and its implications for post-prison, free world adjustments are substantial. The severe behavioural problems of offenders are a result of complex and interactive individual and environmental factors which elicit and maintain offending behaviour. The study sought to develop a model to facilitate effective psychological services among offenders in long-term incarceration correctional services. The study consisted of two phases, namely the empirical phase and conceptualisation phase. In phase one, which was the empirical phase, a qualitative approach was employed. The study utilised phenomenological, explorative, and contextual designs. The study population comprised of male offenders who were serving their long-term incarceration in the Vhembe District at Limpopo Province. Thirty offenders and one clinical psychologist were purposively selected. Data were collected from participants using semi-structured interviews. In-depth information about their experiences physical and mental risks of being incarcerated, as well as the coping mechanisms they used during incarceration was collected. Unstructured interviews were used to collect information about psychological services that are being rendered at correctional centres and their effectives from the only psychologist who participated in the study. Field notes as well as observations were also used methods of data collection. Data analysis was done using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Thematic data analysis. Relevant ethical principles were adhered to. Informed consent was sought from participants prior to the commencement of the study. The study further maintained the aspect of confidentiality and privacy since it was dealing with human subjects and sensitive issues. Issues of trustworthiness; credibility, dependability, transferability and conformability were ensured. The study findings revealed that most of the offenders were not very happy with the kind of mental health services they received from the correctional centres. They reported that correctional centres had a potential to make one totally insane. However, for one to make sense of what is happening at the correctional centres, one would need to receive mental vi health services. Furthermore, the study also discovered that one of the correctional centres is not providing offenders with mental health services and this makes it difficult for offenders to cope with their long-term incarceration since rehabilitation is not taking place. Findings also showed that offenders in one of the two centres were at a greater risk of contracting communicable diseases at the correctional centre due to overcrowding, poor health care system and poor hygiene. Concept analysis was done using Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach, (1968) guidelines. The framework adopted six guidelines that were used in theory development. A model was developed using the Walker and Avant (1995) framework to enhance the effectiveness of facilitation of psychological services at Thohoyandou correctional services and Kutama-Sinthumule Maximum correctional centre. The researcher recommends that mental health policies should be implemented to enhance and scale up mental health services in both correctional centres.