The contribution of social work to the prevention of crime by the criminal justice system in the Western Cape

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study deals with crime prevention within the criminal justice system in responseto the current crime situation in the Western Cape. It describes the structure andfunction of the criminal justice system and assesses crime prevention processes withspecific reference to the role of social work within the criminal justice system. Itfurther examines the criminal justice system as practised in the Western Cape,paying specific attention to the role of the police, criminal courts and prisons in theprevention of crime.In line with the nature of the study an exploratory approach was used. The data wascollected from both primary and secondary sources. Interviews and observationswere the main research techniques used for gathering primary data. Secondary data+was gathered by means of a study of the literature. Structured and unstructuredinterviews were conducted with social workers, magistrates, police officers,prosecutors, victims, offenders, community workers and other officials of the criminaljustice system. These interviews were mainly conducted at Wynberg magistrates'court, Drakenstein Prison (formerly known as Victor Verster Prison) andorganisations based in the metro areas and on the Cape Flats. The study wasconducted over a period of three years with the interview schedule administeredbetween May and August 2000.A sample of 21 respondents was selected on the basis of a purposive approach andprocedure. The comprehensive interview schedule consisted of mainly open-endedand a few closed questions, generating information on the profiles of respondents,crime dynamics in the Western Cape, the sentencing process and preventionstrategies, matters related to the criminal justice system and corrections, and the roleof community justice in the prevention of crime. The generated qualitative data wasanalysed and interpreted. The findings suggested the necessity for social work tomake a contribution to the prevention of crime in a sensitive and proactive way. Theanalysis has shown that criminal justice approaches can significantly enhance theprocess of crime prevention, but that the criminal justice system requires combined strategies and approaches for crime prevention to be effective. It is in this contextthat the contribution of social work can be much more effective.The recommendations of the study have demonstrated a need for social workers topromote approaches that are premised on a broader understanding of the role of thecriminal justice system in the prevention of crime. It is important to state that thestudy's recommendations for the prevention of .crirne can also be implemented byother role-players, particularly within the criminal justice system.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University