EDITOR'S CORNER

We conclude our international focus with the final part of Adriane P. Reesey's survey of the South African corrections system.
Jim
Editor, Corrections.com

FEATURED STORY

Inside Africa, Part II

Adriane P. Reesey

Further exploration

Editor’s note: In part one last week, Reesey discussed her part in a professional corrections delegation, comprised of wardens, psychiatrists, and educators, that traveled to South Africa to explore the country’s corrections system. This week, she reviews the South African Correctional System’s 20-year vision and how it is working toward those goals.

In 2005, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) put together a white paper, or government report, expounding upon and setting out goals, the new 20-year vision that placed rehabilitation at the center of the paradigm. Rehabilitation is defined in that document as the correction of the offending behavior and the development and ultimate promotion of social responsibility, as well as values.

The DCS’s white paper provided the structure for the implementation of policy that was then phased into 36 DCS Centre’s of Excellence. The document placed rehabilitation at the forefront, believing that prevention of recidivism was best met through opportunities for offenders to improve and to correct their behavior, and not through punishment. Read this week's full story.

Read part one of this story.

READER FEEDBACK

Regarding the ongoing debate about private facilities from our readers and contributors, and the articles Counterpoint: Too harsh on private industry, 4/14/08 and Protecting proprietary interests? 4/21/08.

If you work in private corrections you get used to people bashing everyone involved in private corrections, and they usually have the last news report as their only reference. I have worked both sides of the fence and can tell you that there are as much bad at a private prison as there is at public or state facilities.

To make a blanket statement that people at private facilities are only interested in profit only serves to further a limited view of the issue and is misleading. I currently work at a private prison that is fully staffed with some of the best and most dedicated corrections professionals in the business.

You should also examine how well they are forced to operate within their budgets and are responsible for results. State facilities could not operate at the same level with the same repercussion for non compliance that the private prisons do. Imagine if you are fined for one use of force that the state didn't approve of.

The rules are very different for private and state facilities.The other thing to consider is that if there were no need for private prisons then there would be none. People who don't want private prisons should be prepared for higher taxes to build public ones.

See what readers are talking about.

Give us your opinion.

LOOKING AHEAD

NOW ON CORRECTIONS.COM

A collective checkup

The Bureau of Justice Statistics released two reports last week concerning the health status of prison and jail inmates in the United States. Full story

The technology bridge

Recently I had a conversation with the director of staff training with the department of corrections in one of the nation’s largest states.Full story

On the front lines

It was mid-December of last year, and David Donahue had been in Iraq for several days. Standing inside a makeshift office at Camp Bucca, the United States Army’s largest military detention center...Full story

BUSINESS NEWS

Facilities getting solid benefits from PCS’ financial strength

No long-term debt combined with consistent yearly incremental growth and profitability has positioned Public Communications Service, Inc. (PCS) as the leading inmate communications firm... More

Ferguson Safety Products G.M. visits Mississippi

Ferguson Safety Products received an invitation to join the Mississippi State Penitentiary Suicide Prevention Training seminar, held by Dr. Kentrell Liddell. More

Bob Barker Company adds complete first aid system

Bob Barker Company recently announced the addition of the All-Ready Complete First Aid System to their extensive line of detention products. More

CAREER WATCH

Officers of the year recognized Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Justin Jones recognized Lawrence W. Bell, Jr., James Herschal McBane, and Nicole Haws as 2007 officers of the year. Full story

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EVENTS

Reaching behind the walls - Mental Health & Workplace Wellness for Corrections Staff

Date: 5/8 - 5/9/08
Hosted by Desert Waters Correctional Outreach. Topics include, Signs & ways to intervene with staff struggling with mental health issues, Supervising stressed staff, Staff suicide, and more.

Emotional Intelligence Continuing Education Seminar

Date: 5/27/08
An Introduction to Emotional Intelligence for Anger Management Facilitators, Clinicians, MFTs and LCSWs Emotional intelligence is a learned ability needed to understand, use, and express human emotions in a healthy and skilled manner.Read more.

In Depth Gang Awareness & Investigations

Date: 6/7/08
This course covers not only the basics of gang identification but will look in depth at the history of certain gangs, identifying characteristics and what the common gang symbols mean. Read more

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair."
- Arnold Toynbee (1889 - 1975), English historian and historical philosopher


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