Diploma in Corrections Management

This qualification is intended for persons who mainly function on the tactical level within the Correctional Services environment. The qualifying learner will be competent in applying selected integrated legal, administrative and managerial principles and techniques within the context of Correctional Services Management in supporting and implementing strategies, policies and procedures and will be able to deal effectively with contemporary issues on a tactical level.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Students will be given RPL for individual modules if they can produce a portfolio of evidence or undergo any other recognised means of assessment that shows that they meet the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for that module. They may also be awarded blocks of credits towards elective modules. A policy is currently being drawn up.

Entry Requirements

• National Senior Certificate (Diploma endorsement).

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 5, 6 and 7.

Compulsory Modules Level 5

• The Nature, ontent and scope of Public Administration,12 Credits.
• Introduction to Social Work and The Helping Process,12 Welfare Policy,12 Credits.
• Correctional Skills, 12 Credits.
• Correctional Services administration I: Module II: Introduction to Corrections Science, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to fundamental Penology, 12 Credits.
• English for Academic Purposes, 12 Credits.
• Social Dimensions of Justice, 12 Credits.
• Ethical Information and communication Technologies for Development Solutions, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Law, 12 Credits.

Electives Modules Level 6

• The Structuring and functioning of Public Services, 12 Credits.
• Protection Services, 12 Credits.
• Public Policy, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 6

• Correction and Care, 12 Credits.
• Fundamental Rights, 12 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration III: Module I: Community Corrections, 12 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration Ii: Module II: Social Dynamics in a Correctional Centre, 12 Credits.
• Admission and Release Mechanism, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Correctional Management, 12 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration I: Module 1, 12 Credits.
• Correctional Security, 12 Credits.
• Administration of the Correctional Service Act, 12 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration Ii: Module I: Fundamental Penology,12 Credits.
• Counselling Skills, 12 Credits.
• Facilitative Communication in groups and Communities, 12 Credits.
• Unit and Case Management in Correctional Services, 12 Credits.
• Correctional Services Administration III: Module II: Offender Development, 12 Credits.
• Youth Corrections,12 Credits.

Electives Modules Level 7

• Community Work,12 Credits.
• Ethics in Public Administration and Administrative Justice, 12 Credits.
• Public Management Skills, 12 Credits.
• Social Case Work, 12 Credits.
• Social Group Work ,12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 7

• Correctional Management Principles, 12 Credits.
• Restorative Justice in Corrections,12 Credits.
• Correctional Management Control Mechanisms, 12 Credits.

1. Perform advanced custodial functions.
2. Evaluate specific situations with legal implications and determine appropriate action.
3. Perform basic logistical and financial management functions.
4. Manage human resources on the functional level within the organisation.
5. Planning on the functional level to give assist in providing direction to the enterprise in a dynamic environment.
6. Apply the concepts of management on the functional management levels to cope with organisational changes.

• 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 (Government)
• 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

• Written examinations.
• Case studies.