The Effects of Overcrowding on the Rehabilitation of Offenders: A Case Study of a Correctional Center, Durban (Westville), KwaZulu Natal

Abstract

The existing misclassifications in correctional centers have negative effects on inmates’ well-being—emotional and physical. This is fueled by overcrowding in correctional centers, making rehabilitation of offenders, as envisaged by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), an impossible mandate. Overcrowding causes various issues, including poor healthcare, scarcity of resources, lack of nutritious meals, and the perpetuation of violent behavior. The aim of the article is to determine the effects of overcrowding on the rehabilitation process of offenders. This study was conducted at the biggest correctional center (Durban Westville) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), with the use of semi-structured interviews with selected inmates and officials at the Medium B facility. The findings of this article reveal the negative physical, social, and psychological effects of overcrowding on the lives of offenders and the effects they have on rehabilitation programs. The article suggests that in order for rehabilitation programs to be a success, decisive steps need to be taken to improve the correctional environment.

Prison Overcrowding and Harsh Conditions: Health and Human Rights Concerns to Persons in Custody, Staff, and the Community

“…Our analysis supports Farrington and Nuttall's report, explaining the perceived negative impact of overcrowding on prison-based rehabilitation due to its ability to reduce meaningful contact between persons in custody and correctional officers, limiting their access to treatment and trade programs. Nkosi and Maweni (2020), in a South Africanbased study, support our findings that overcrowding compromises rehabilitation. In ghana, the prison service's mandate is to ensure safe custody and persons in custody's welfare and undertake rehabilitation when prison conditions and available resources permit (Baffour, 2019), making it likely for prison administrators to overlook rehabilitation in the current situation described in this study.…”

“…Another debate in the extant literature is the impact of overcrowding on rehabilitation and recidivism (Baffour, 2021; Nkosi & Maweni, 2020). A classical study by Farrington and Nuttall (1980) suggested that overcrowding destructs prison management and administration effectiveness.…”

“…MacDonald (2018) argued that crowded prisons limit access to resources, which curtail opportunities for proper rehabilitation programs and deny prison occupants quality of life. In one South African study, the participants lamented how prison overcrowding affected their social, physical, and psychological well-being, leading to negative outcomes in rehabilitation programs (Nkosi & Maweni, 2020). Previous studies conducted in ghana have reported the impact of overcrowding on poor rehabilitation regimes and subsequent recidivism (Baffour, 2016(Baffour, , 2020(Baffour, , 2021Dako-gyeke & Baffour, 2016).…”

“…Prison overcrowding puts pressure on limited resources, compromises the quality of services delivered in a prison facility (Baffour, 2021; Guetzkow & Schoon, 2015), and increases the risk of violence and unrest in prisons (Nkosi & Maweni, 2020; Spencer, 2012). These consequences can lead to disregard for fundamental human rights, health challenges, and reduced safety within institutions.…”

Is Suid-Afrika se rehabilitasieparadigma uitge-dien? 'n Pleidooi vir moontlike beleidshervorming

“…Die Departement is egter nie heeltemal vry van aanspreeklikheid nie. Nkosi (2018) betoog dat 'n pakhuisbenadering tot opsluiting, tesame met uitdagings soos korrupsie, verdere traumas, geweld en bendeaktiwiteite, hervorming in 'n groot sentrum soos Durban-Westville amper onmoontlik maak, aangesien dit hierdie ruimtes onveilig maak en dus rehabilitasie negatief beïnvloed. Op soortgelyke wyse redeneer Miselo en Mutereko (2019) dat, aangesien kenners saamstem dat toegang tot na-sekondêre onderrig (sogenaamde "Post-Secondary Correctional Education" of PSCE) grondliggend is tot die vermindering van heroortreding en 'n positiewe invloed daarop het, daar tog gewigtige probleemareas uitgelig kan word.…”