Breaking out [of the cycle]: Sports, recreation, education and culture centre at the Leeuwkop Juvenile Prison
Date
2013-08-28
Authors
Frowein, Philippa
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Abstract
economic circumstances in the wake of
historical political turbulence have lead to
criminal behaviour, and the cyclical nature
of criminal patterns. Growing crime rates
are a feature of countries around the world,
and various governments have attempted
to deal with offenders by adopting ‘tough
on crime’ strategies. Nevertheless, crime
rates are increasing, and new research has
shown that rehabilitation is becoming more
relevant than punishment in the fight against
recidivism.
In the White Paper on Corrections, published
in 2005, the Department of Correctional
Services identified the actual prison
environment as a route cause of crime,
calling the prison a “university of crime.”
Gang violence, rape and intimidation cause
prisoners to commit crimes in an attempt
to survive. On their release, they have
the potential to be damaged individuals
who pose a greater threat to society than
before their incarceration. The White Paper
suggests that rehabilitation of prisoners is
the only way to deal with criminal reoffending
and The Department of Correctional
Services has fully committed to the theory of rehabilitation in its legislation. Unfortunately
most of the actual prison buildings in South
Africa were designed purely for incarceration
and punishment of offenders, and little
thought has been given to spaces for
rehabilitation.
This thesis deals with the retrofit of
rehabilitation programme in existing
problematic prison infrastructure in an
attempt to deal with the high levels of
recidivism in South Africa. South African
prisoners have the right to sports, recreation,
education and culture [SREC] activities,
but currently participation is documented at
only four percent. The juvenile prisoners at
the Leeuwkop Prison Farm form part of the
majority of young offenders without good
SREC facilities, and it is the aim of this
thesis to investigate the culture of Leeuwkop
Prison and determine what is needed for
both prisoners and prison staff in terms of
offering rehabilitation and SREC facilities.
This thesis will also focus upon the way in
which a new SREC building can be used
to integrate prisoners and the public in an
attempt to address the stigmas associated
with offenders in South Africa.