Diploma in Correctional and Rehabilitation Studies

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with propositional, practical and experiential knowledge, skills and competencies to apply selected integrated legal, administrative and managerial principles and techniques within the context of Correctional and Rehabilitation services. Learners will demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts of crime, criminology, victimology, and the principles and practice of crime prevention and criminal justice system. They will be able to supervise work activities and personnel and to use entrepreneurial skills, in starting and/or managing Correctional and Rehabilitation Services businesses and/or sections thereof. Learners will be multi-skilled and able to work independently on the tactical level in a Correctional and Rehabilitation Services setting. They will have applied competencies to continue to learn new techniques and keep abreast with progress and technological trends within the industry. They will be equipped with skills and competencies that would allow them to progress through the professional career path in the field. Learners will also be able to innovatively promote professionalism, rehabilitation of offenders, human rights, community corrections, care for youth and female offenders, and the adherence to correctional law in while engaging with communities and business environments.

Rationale

This qualification reflects workplace needs of the corrections industry for correctional officials up to first line supervisors in South Africa. A Diploma in Correctional and Rehabilitation Studies learner is actively engaged in becoming a well-rounded, competent person who is fit for the industry and in preparing for further, more specific study or for a work environment. The majority of the candidates to aspire for this qualification are likely to be those already working in the corrections sector. The qualification will therefore give them the opportunity to develop skills and to acquire the knowledge that is essential for successful execution of correctional duties up to the level of first line supervisors. This qualification has been developed to promote professionalism, rehabilitation of offenders, human rights, community corrections, care for youth and female offenders, and the adherence to correctional law. It will also assist in changing the perceptions of the lack of good governance, professionalism and expertise within a correctional environment, which will improve the image and relationship between the corrections industry and the community.

This qualification will allow a learner to obtain a nationally recognised qualification in Corrections Science. A qualifying learner will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills of essential correctional practices associated with the rehabilitation of all categories of offenders who may be held in the prison or subject to community corrections.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• As per institutional policy, credits towards this qualification may be obtained by means of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 134 Credits

• Criminology in Correctional Services 1A, 10 Credits.
• Criminology in Correctional Services 1B, 10 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration 1A, 10 Credits.
• Computer Literacy II, 10 Credits.
• Communication for Academic Purposes, 10 Credits.
• Correctional Services Law 1B, 10 Credits.
• Correctional Services Law 1A, 10 Credits.
• Correctional Services Management 1B, 10 Credits.
• Correctional Services Management 1A, 10 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration 1B, 10 Credits.
• Life Skills, 2 Credits.
• Principles of social welfare and Rehabilitation 1B, 5 Credits.
• Principles of social welfare and Rehabilitation 1A, 5 Credits.
• Information Literacy I, 2 Credits.
• Public Management 1B, 10 Credits.
• Public Management 1A, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 226 Credits

• Correctional Services Law 2B, 14 Credits.
• Correctional Services Management 2A, 14 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration 2B, 14 Credits.
• Correctional Services Law 2A, 14 Credits.
• Criminology in Correctional Services 2B, 11 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration 2A, 14 Credits.
• Criminology in Correctional Services 2A, 11 Credits.
• Correctional Services Management 2B, 14 Credits.
• Correctional Services Management 3B, 15 Credits.
• Criminology in Correctional Services 3B, 10 Credits.
• Criminology in Correctional Services 3A, 10 Credits.
• Correctional Services Management 3A, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Basic Research Skills, 10 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration 3A, 15 Credits.
• Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in Correctional Services and Rehabilitation Studies, 30 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration 3B, 15 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an informed knowledge on the basic concepts of crime, criminology, victimology, and the principles and practice of crime prevention and criminal justice system, including correctional services and rehabilitation. They should also be able to demonstrate understanding of different forms of knowledge, schools of thought and theories in the correctional and rehabilitation studies.
2. Demonstrate awareness of how correctional and rehabilitation system develops and evolves, including management and supervision of personnel and work activities. They should also be able to select and apply standard methods and procedures concerning advanced custodial and non-custodial Correctional and Rehabilitation administrative functions and problems, plan and manage implementation processes within the industry, demonstrating and understanding of the ethical/legal consequences.
3. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate and interpret different sources of information in the correctional and rehabilitation studies, including legal instruments and policies and apply well developed processes of analysis and synthesis. They should also be able to present and communicate such information using appropriate academic and professional or occupational conventions, formats and technologies.
4. Demonstrate the ability to operate in a range of basic Supply Chain Management and financial management functions in correctional and rehabilitation environment.
5. Demonstrate an ability to comprehend basic research skills such as formulation of problem, design, implementation and dissemination of findings. They should also be able to evaluate, select and apply appropriate methods, procedures or techniques in processes of scientific investigation or application within a defined context in correctional and rehabilitation studies.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Apply solitary confinement.
• Segregate prisoners.
• Discipline prisoners.
• Transfer prisoners.
• Place/Release prisoners.
• Assess security risks.
• Classify prisoners.
• Search staff.
• Search visitors.
• Draw action plan for security of prison.
• Report irregularities.
• Arrange medical care.
• Give medical treatment.
• Apply mechanical restraints.
• Deal with hunger strikes.
• Develop emergency plan.
• Analyse needs for mechanical restraints.
• Conduct security visits/inspection.
• Do security inspections.
• Inspection security fences.
• Conduct visits (spans, night).
• Know the defences available for you.
• Define negligence.
• Discuss grounds of justification.
• Discuss judicial inspectorate.
• Meet requirements of delegation.
• Explain the grounds for review.
• Apply your mind.
• Apply relevant principles of admin law.
• Take all surrounding circumstances into account.
• Deal with each case on merit.
• Occupational Health and Safety act.
• Skills Development Act.
• Equity act.
• Labour Relations Act.
• Basic conditions of Employment act.
• Compensation Act.
• Know the operation of Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
• Avoid criminal and delictual liability.
• Avoid negligence.
• Understand legal contracts.
• Attend to legal claims.
• Liaise with external legal bodies.
• Communicate with the attorney.
• Adhere to court procedures.
• Execute powers in terms of CP Act (not covered in other learning areas).
• Identify powers of enforcement from legislation.
• Issues of warrant.
• Formulate charge sheet.
• Act as prosecutor in disciplinary hearing.
• Handle disciplinary cases.
• Distinguish between rights and privileges.
• Discuss the rights of victims.
• Determine if information is releasable as public information.
• Interpretation of human rights.
• Assess financial needs.
• Compile estimates.
• Control finances.
• Take corrective measures.
• Interpret reports.
• Write reports.
• Consolidate financial reports.
• Generate management information.
• Revise budgets (continually).
• Roll funds over.
• Allocate budget.
• Formulate budget.
• Liaise within system (Govt.).
• Deal with claims against the state.
• Outline delegated powers.
• Outline logistical control policy (inventories).
• Outline procurement policy.
• Outline record keeping policy.
• Outline issuing policy.
• Outline disposal policy.
• Outline procurement procedures (including tender/contracts).
• Arrange for disposal of equipment.
• Execute loss control.
• Audit stores.
• Arrange logistics inspections.
• Outline stocking cycle.
• Manage safe-keeping of stock/equipment.
• Read reports.
• Interpret reports.
• Define materials management.
• Define material research.
• Define distribution management.
• Use authority responsibility.
• Make decision.
• Chair meetings.
• Delegate work.
• Delegate authority (accountability).
• Delegate responsibilities.
• Describe communication barriers.
• Identify barriers of communication.
• Overcome communication barriers.
• Identify crux (central idea) of message.
• Set out alternatives.
• Summarise reports/occurrences.
• Obtain approval.
• Avoid confusion.
• Develop inter-personal communication skills.
• Accept criticism.
• Speak out when necessary.
• Speak assertively.
• Have information on your institution.
• Enhance cross-cultural communication.
• Describe the nature and scope of planning.
• Put the planning procedure into practice.
• Use planning aids.
• Describe the phases of organisational development.
• Identify the characteristics of the three phases.
• Identify and describe moments of crisis phases mentioned.
• Differentiate between the architecture, management approach style, training and development functions, and personnel policy found in the three phases of organisational development, and determine what changes have to be made to overcome crises.
• Show the connection between change, organisation development and change management.
• Distinguish between the different types of change.
• Explain the origins of change in terms of internal and external influences.
• Explain the phases and steps in the change process.
• Discuss the reasons for resistance to change.
• Explain the techniques which can be used to overcome resistance to change.
• Describe the manager's role in organisation development.
• Illustrate the difference between data and information by giving an example.
• Give examples of information that a manager needs for planning, decision-making and control, and state the sources where the information can be found.
• Use our logic to identify obvious errors in a set of information.
• Process and systematise the information.
• Represent the information visually by means of line graphs, bar charts and pie charts.
• Make deductions from graphs and diagrams.
• Explain why Correctional Services is a control-intensive organisation.
• Show what specific control implications the activities institutions have and why.
• Describe the state's new concept of internal auditing.
• Explain the unique control implications of the activities of correctional managers.
• Describe a number of characteristic control mechanisms which are generally found in Correctional Services.
• List the differences between internal and external audit functions in the South African government context.
• Give a number external auditors in the government sector.
• Explain service evaluation in the Department of Correctional Service in South Africa.
• Explain the nature and philosophy of management by objectives.
• Differentiate between different types of objectives.
• Point out the importance of group objectives as opposed to individual objectives in a Correctional Services environment.
• Illustrate the different levels of objectives with examples from a Correctional Services perspective.
• Specify the requirements for setting objectives.
• Explain the process of formulating objectives for a unit or division.
• Illustrate the measurement of results.
• Point out the advantages and disadvantages of management by objectives.
• Place organisation and work study in perspective as an aid to management.
• Explain the different components and focal areas of this aid to management.
• Explain the importance and practical implications of organisation and work study in the Department of Correctional Services.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment will be achieved by a variety of strategies. For award of qualification, candidates must achieve the required fundamental, core and elective unit standards/modules. Candidates must also demonstrate the understanding and ability to engage in the correctional operations selected in integrative way, dealing with basic and divergent demands related to these work operations effectively. Evidence is also required to prove that candidates are able to completely achieve the purpose of the qualification at the time of the award of the qualification. In order to determine whether learners have successfully achieved the stipulated outcomes and can demonstrate applied competence an integrated approach Incorporating formative and Summative Assessment procedure will be utilised. While Formative Assessment will include case study analysis, problem solving analysis and oral presentations the Summative Assessments will be in form of semester tests, semester assignments and examinations. For all subject, except the Industrial experience Work-Integrated learning (WIL) component of the programme where continuous evaluation will be used to determine whether students have achieved the outcome or not, the Summative Assessment will comprise of Tests/Assignments (50%) and Semester Examination (50%).