Assessing the impact of the ‘checklist’ to address overcrowding in Gauteng prisons
Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Literature shows that overcrowding in prison is a crisis that is exacerbated by challenges associated with court processes and inadequate criminal justice
systems. Practical measures have been implemented by the South African government to combat these challenges through the use of an integrated criminal justice system. The National Task Team developed a strategy known as the ‘checklist’ that is development from internal benchmarks to address addressing overcrowding in South African Prisons. The study focuses on the assessment of the impact of the ‘7C checklist’ a process that is has been adopted to reduce overcrowding in Gauteng prisons as well as the role of the various government role players within the National Task Team. Using a qualitative approach that included document analysis and in-depth interviews, the study examined the impact of the 7C checklist in addressing the issue of overcrowding. This study concludes that there remains the persistence of practical constraints that are associated with the implementation processes required for complying with the ‘checklist’, as seen through the eyes of those in charge of implementing the strategy. Generally, the ‘checklist’ is partially implemented, and not following through with the processes negatively impacts on the overall goal of reducing overcrowding in Gauteng Prisons
Description
A research report submitted in 50% requirements for the degree of Master of Management, to the Faculty of Commerce (in the field of
Security Studies), Law and Management, Wits School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023
Keywords
Overcrowding in prison, Prison, Criminal justice, South African Prisons, 7C checklist, UCTD
Citation
Kanyane, Mpapa Jeremia. (2022). Assessing the impact of the ‘checklist’ to address overcrowding in Gauteng prisons [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38821