Browsing by Author "Van Wyk, Stephanie Anne"

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    From incarceration to successful reintegration : an ethnographic study of the impact of a halfway house on recidivism amongst female ex-offenders
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-04) Van Wyk, Stephanie Anne; Bantjes, Jason; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis examines the psychological and social reasons for recidivism among women offenders of the law and explores the impact halfway houses could have on reducing recidivism in SA. Despite the problem of high crime and offender recidivism in SA there is a lack of research into projects within the country that are attempting to address the situation. This paper ascribes to be an authentic voice from one who has had the unique opportunity of observing the SA prison system from within, over a period of 15 years, and one who has sought to assist ex-offenders in their reintegration from prison to society by providing support once outside of prison over the past 10 years. The thesis is auto-ethnographic in design and method. This research examines the reasons for criminal acts among women and seeks to investigate and determine the unique complexities surrounding women and crime. A high prevalence of sexual and physical abuse is corroborated as common precursors to conduct problems in female offenders, while mental ill health is found to be marked among women in prison. Recommendations are made for the establishment of halfway houses in SA and strategies are suggested for the development of such halfway houses.