Bachelor of Arts in Correctional Studies

Purpose

The Bachelor of Arts in Correctional Studies is a structured three-year specialist degree designed to equip students with the highest quality knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values for a satisfying career in the field of criminal justice, specifically correctional services, and related fields. The qualification focuses on preparing graduates in the field of law enforcement with a focus on the correctional system and dealing with criminals, punishment, and crime prevention.

The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide graduates with systematic knowledge, specialised skills and theoretical competence focusing on a particular discipline or within an interdisciplinary framework to prepare them for specialist training in the respective industry.

A second purpose of the qualification is to provide industry, both nationally and globally, with graduates who have in-depth knowledge and the confidence to identify and define complex problems and to apply their skills in finding solutions to those problems, especially within unfamiliar contexts.

A third purpose of the qualification is to provide industry, both nationally and globally, with people who can demonstrate thorough familiarity with a particular discipline or interdisciplinary framework and can perform independently as intellectual leaders in their respective fields and communities of practice, whilst still being able to operate within a team.

This qualification will enable graduates to undertake reflection and development using a systematic survey of current thinking, practice, and research methods in correctional services and community corrections.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying students will be able to

• Understand the theories relevant to crime, the criminal, and punishment within the field of correctional services, and understand how to apply such knowledge in a particular context.
• Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in correctional services and evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
• Apply appropriate standard procedures, processes, or techniques to unfamiliar problems in a specialised field, discipline, or practice.
• Apply a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse, and address complex or abstract problems, drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to correctional services.
• Address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to correctional services.
• Review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation, and management processes through research processes within correctional services contexts to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
• Operate effectively within a correctional system, or manage a correctional system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between rehabilitation programmes within the correctional system.
• Apply learning strategies which effectively address his or her professional and ongoing learning needs, and the professional and ongoing learning needs of others.
• Take full responsibility for his or her work, decision-making, and use of resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate when working as a team.

Rationale

The South African National Development Plan (2012) envisions that by 2030, "...people living in South Africa feel safe and have no fear of crime. They are safe at home, at school, at work and they enjoy an active community life free of fear". Achieving this vision requires a well-functioning criminal justice system; corrections play a significant interconnected part, relative to policing, prosecution, and courts, to realise the latter. The 2008 Review Report of the South African Criminal Justice System (CJS), initiated by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, emphasizes a dysfunctional CJS, in urgent need of transformation, especially defragmentation, coordination, professionalism, accountability, proficiency, and modernity, amongst others. Some of the correction aspects noted by the Report centred around performance. The Report noted the above capacity of the total number of incarcerated offenders, particularly those awaiting trial, and those sentenced. Correctional supervision parole/ probation supervision options were signposted as limited, considering staff and resources to give a meaningful impact. The most disturbing aspect of the Report is the rate of recidivism, which is between 86% and 94%. This means that between eight and nine convicted offenders out of every ten returns to criminal behaviour and incarceration after rehabilitation intent, and subsequent first parole and/or probation. However, credible sources, over time and context, have procedurally and substantively shown progressive transformation (best practices) in other countries across the globe, which can be considered by corrections in South Africa.

Very few South African accredited public and private higher education institutions offer whole-based qualifications. There are only two corrections management qualifications through distance education, whilst the institution offers broader corrections studies, via contact education. In terms of the latter, the institution initiated said because the national Department of Correctional Services (DCJ) requested institution to do so. The DCS took an active role in compiling and evaluating the qualification. This relationship between the institution and the DCS has only strengthened with a renewed and expanded memorandum of understanding between the two parties, late in 2023. The new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recognizes the 'DCS employment first-choice' (criminologist, safety and security officer, hostage negotiator, correctional officer, probation officer, juvenile correctional officer, corrections case manager, pretrial services officer, correctional counsellor, amongst many others) of the qualification graduates, proficiency of experiential learning, and scientific impact of research and research support. More specifically, the Bachelor of Arts in Correctional Studies provides aspirant corrections specialists with cutting-edge knowledge, understanding, critical thinking, innovation and ethics of correctional studies (all over the world but with a South African and African node) that bridges the past with the future, that does not replace DCS in-service training but rather explores, describes and explains the causes, maintenance, consequences and future of crime, as the core concept of the science of criminology, interrelated with other social sciences such as psychology and sociology.

Furthermore, the qualification content recognizes the golden thread between policing, prosecution, courts, and corrections. Particular attention is given to profession, professionalisation, and professional, as well as empirical processes of conceptualisation, operationalisation, validity, reliability, and levels of measurement. The average student registered for the Bachelor of Arts in Correctional Studies usually has an aptitude for restorative justice and selected the institution's qualification as their first choice. She or he (50/50 female/ male) is normally isiZulu speaking (English as a second additional language), between the ages of 18 and 30, and from a very impoverished rural background, with extreme hope and desire to succeed. One of the most salient reasons why institution, Department of Criminal Justice (DCJ), Bachelor of Arts in Correctional Studies graduates are in high demand is because the programme is arguably the leading quality qualification in corrections on the African continent, according to a multitude of external moderators, over an extended period.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The institution's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy guides how RPL is implemented at the institution. The assessment of RPL is conducted in a variety of ways and there is no one set way of assessing prior learning. In each case, evidence must be provided to support the assessment decision that has been reached as each RPL case will be different and may include one or more approaches. If a case arises, the Department of Criminal Justice shall follow the University RPL policy guidelines as well as the national policies on RPL which allows for 10% admission on RPL per cohort of students.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's degree studies.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's degree studies.

Or

. Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, with endorsement.

Or

• Higher Certificate in Legal Studies, NQF Level 5.

Or

• Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigations, NQF Level 5.

Or

• Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice, NQF Level 5.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 7, totalling 384 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 64 Credits

• Introduction to Criminology and Research, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Punishment, 16 Credits.
• History of the Criminal Justice System, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Corrections, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 5, 64 Credits (Select any four modules)

• Introduction to Law A, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Law B, 12 Credits.
• Applied Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Industrial Societies, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Sociology, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 64 Credits

• Crime Prevention. 16 Credits.
• Offender Policies. 16 Credits.
• Socio-Criminology. 16 Credits.
• Professional Skills Development for Correctional Officials. 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 6, 64 Credits (Select any four modules)

• Criminal Law A, 12 Credits
• Criminal Law B, 12 Credits
• Developmental Psychology, 16 Credits.
• History of Sociological Thoughts and Sociological Theories, 16 Credits.
• Personality Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Social Policy and Policy Implementation, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 80 Credits

• Psycho-Criminology, 16 Credits
• Correctional Management, 16 Credits
• Monistic Studies on Crime and Victimology, 16 Credits
• Administering Community, Corrections A: Assessing Offenders, 16 Credits
• Administering Community Corrections B: Assessing Communities, 16 Credits

Elective Modules, NQF Level 7, 48 Credits (Select any three modules)

• Abnormal Psychology, 16 Credits
• Theories of Development and Social Change, 16 Credits
• Criminal Procedure A, 12 Credits
• Criminal Procedure B, 12 Credits
• Communications in Safety and Security, 16 Credits
• The Media and Investigations, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate understanding of knowledge relating to the theories relevant to crime, the criminal and punishment within the field of correctional services and contemporary issues in the correctional services environment.
2. Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in correctional services and evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
3. Apply appropriate standard procedures, processes, or techniques to unfamiliar problems in a specialised field.
4. Address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to correctional services.
5. Critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation, and management processes through research processes within correctional services contexts to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
6. Communicate academic, professional, or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to correctional services.
7. Operate effectively within a correctional system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between rehabilitation programmes within the correctional system.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse and apply concepts and theories of punishment by interrogating multiple resources within the correctional system.
• Evaluate and apply correctional services laws and knowledge of the challenges facing the South African correctional system as the foundation to find practical solutions.
• Identify and explain challenges faced by the correctional system of South Africa.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Gather information about the day-to-day problems affecting both officials and offenders using legitimate processes.
• Evaluate and interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in correctional services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply appropriate standard procedures, processes, or techniques to unfamiliar problems in a correctional services practice.
• Carry out problem-solving process to deal with problems encountered within correctional centres by both officials and offenders.
• Identify and analyse complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to correctional services.
• Review procedures, processes, or techniques for unfamiliar problems in a specialised field or discipline within the correctional services environment through the gathering, synthesis, and evaluation of information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to correctional services.
• Identify and analyse complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to correctional services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation, and management processes in specialised contexts to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
• Report and communicate academic ideas in the form of reports.
• Present and communicate academic, professional, or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences.
• Offer creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to correctional services.
• Describe values and principles governing the correctional management system to enable analysis and address of ethical issues that may lead to unsafe and dangerous situations in a correctional facility.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Explore the relationship between the rehabilitation programmes within a correctional system.
• Take full responsibility for his or her work, decision-making and use of resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate.
• Suggest solutions to problems that are encountered within correctional centres through the correct channels.
• Describe the code of conduct for both correctional officials and offenders and possible penalties for transgressions to ensure that ethical issues are outlined and addressed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Evaluate compliance or non-compliance with the code of conduct and related prescripts for both correctional officials and offenders using confirmed previous cases that amount to deviation from approved processes and procedures.
• Report and communicate clearly academic ideas in the form of pre- and post-sentence reports is evident.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The Bachelor of Arts in Correctional Studies consists of both formative and summative assessments. More specifically, each module has a final summative examination, which constitutes 50% of the module's final mark. To obtain access to the final examination, a Duly Performed (DP) module mark of 40%, determined by at least two formative and/or summative assessments (for example, class tests, assignments, group work, class work, portfolio submissions, etc.), must be obtained. The pass mark for each module is 50%. A DP mark of 40% requires a final examination mark of 60% to pass any given module within the Bachelor of Arts in Correctional Studies.

All assessments (and their full memoranda) are standardised and quality-assured by each specific module lecturer/ facilitator, the Programme Academic Coordinator, and the Head of the Department. All final examinations are also evaluated by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Examination Committee, the institution's Assessment Management Department, and the institution's SENEX. Exit-level modules (third-year modules) are furthermore externally moderated by institution Senate-approved external moderators. All Bachelor of Arts in Correctional Studies assessments are evaluated by the DCJ Personnel Committee. Each Bachelor of Arts in Correctional Studies module final exam has a pre-exam report and a post-exam report.