Welcome to the NICRO News!!
IN THIS ISSUE WE LOOK AT:
Message from the Executive Director
Head Office News
Fundraising news from the NICRO UK TRUST
Media Highlights
Media comments that sparked interest
Success Stories
Letter from a grateful NICRO client: What I have gained at NICRO
Thank you
Donations and Sponsorship
"Only a stronger sense of society, of community, of family: a sense of responsibility to each other -Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu- can heal the fractures that give rise to crime." -Trevor Manuel
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Message from the Executive Director
In September, NICRO proudly celebrated 97 years of success. Founded on the 6th of September 1910 as the South African Prisoners' Aid Association (SPAA) - the first countrywide organisation of its kind for the aid and after-care of prisoners and their families - NICRO is now the only NGO providing comprehensive crime reduction and prevention services throughout South Africa.
NICRO has pioneered numerous service delivery models that have been integrated into mainstream practice and have gone on to be incorporated into South African legislation. Many of these (early probation service, pre- and post-trial community service and diversion) continue to form the backbone of South Africa’s contemporary criminal justice practice, especially in the application of youth justice.
NICRO contributes significantly towards creating a safer South Africa by engaging in direct service delivery, capacity building, lobbying and advocacy, as well as research. NICRO annually directly touches the lives of over 80,000 people, who constitute some of South Africa’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals including young offenders, youth at risk of committing crime, incarcerated persons, released prisoners and their families, victims of crime and violence, especially abused women and children and marginalised, vulnerable communities affected by crime and poverty.
The last few years have seen NICRO engaging in careful and deliberate planning around the vision for a new, reengineered NICRO. At this point, we see all that planning being put into serious action. The immediate focus is on Service Excellence, to ensure a greater impact on breaking the cycle of crime in South Africa.
NICRO’s 97 year success story would not have been possible without the support of our valued donors. We are immensely grateful to every donor, who over the years has made a contribution to creating the strong NICRO of today. Each person who turns their back on crime in South Africa is a reminder of the enormous importance of every donation, large and small, in helping NICRO make a safer South Africa for us all.
I would like to say a special thank you to our core donors, who have provided NICRO with substantial ongoing support. The National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund and Department of Social Development have been the backbone of NICRO for many years. More recently, DANIDA, CORDAID and The Swiss Development Agency and USAID have provided extremely generous support to our cause. We are extremely grateful!
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Head Office News
Research and Development visits Malawi
In March 2007, the Deputy Executive Director, Celia Dawson with Arina Smit and Finest Nene visited Malawi to do a situational analysis of services and organizations that can come on board with NICRO as part of diversion endeavours and to assist with the development of a Diversion model – very much different to the South African model. Meetings were held with various organizations such as Eye of the Child, Chisomo Childrens Club, St. John of God and YONECO.
These children are receiving Chisomo’s services
“Babies behind Bars”: proposed amendment to Bill
On the 31st August a submission was made to the Portfolio Committee on Corrections regarding the amendment bill with specific reference to mothers and babies in prison:
“…it is NICRO’s professional opinion that babies and toddlers should remain in prison with their mothers for the shortest possible time, and in the best possible nurturing environments. The main issue in the debate on whether or not babies should be with their incarcerated mothers revolves around the emotional attachment and bonding which all human beings must form with their parent or custodian at birth and in the formative years, versus the developmental consequences of the adverse environmental conditions that prevail in a prison.”
In August, in one of the proposals contained in the Correctional Services Amendment Bill, advocate Millicent Malebye (DCS) presented a submission in support of the bill, which stated that research and international practice showed that it was in the interest of the children to keep them with their mothers in prison until the age of two.
NICRO Deputy Director Celia Dawson was invited by the SABC 2 programme: Parliamentary View from the House on the 10th September to be interviewed on the topic of children behind bars and the relevance of the proposed amendment to the mentioned bill.
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FUNDING FOR NICRO FROM USAID
NICRO is immensely proud to announce that we have received funding from USAID (The United States Agency for International Development). Following a thorough organisational assessment of NICRO, USAID was satisfied that NICRO met their high standards and awarded us a grant of R1.9 million. NICRO Executive Director, Soraya Solomon, is extremely grateful for the funds and said " A generous injection of R1.9 million will certainly go a long way towards helping NICRO in its quest for a safe South Africa. NICRO would like to thank USAID for their support". Soraya added that "NICRO looks forward to the wonderful spirit of partnership with which the grant was awarded".
In July the NICRO “hidden victims of crime” research project received funding from the FNB Fund.
Chairman, Derek Carstens said that the NICRO model easily found synergy with the FNB Fund’s value system of community care and youth development. By not only helping the victims of crime, but also helping to rehabilitate offenders, NICRO is providing sustainable development by helping to stamp out the cycle of crime and violence.
The FNB Fund committed to funding NICRO research into the effects of parental incarceration on South African children with the aim on developing effective programmatic responses to this phenomenon and breaking the cycle of crime.
Adrienne Coetzee of NICRO with Derek Carstens of FNB
NICRO hosted a first ever Colloquium on Indigenous Practice as part of a Danida funded project within the Context of Restorative Justice and Non Custodial Responses to Youth Crime in June in Cape Town, bringing together 60 dedicated participants from around the country to converse around the theme of integrating indigenous practices into the NICRO psycho-social interventions and justice processes. Traditional leaders, criminal justice- and social development stakeholders were in attendance as well as representatives from Malawi who shared their experiences of their primary justice project.
The South African Youth Choir entertained guests at the banquet on the opening night of the Indigenous Practices Colloquium hosted by NICRO in June at the St Georges Hotel, Cape Town. Advocate Mahumane - a Chief From the House of Traditional Leaders, could not resist jumping up to join in the fun......
Offer inmates paid work, says NICRO
Sapa distributed the breaking news of the NICRO submission to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services: Prison labour as a means of rehabilitation and reintegration. Business Day reported as follows in June:
NICRO made a controversial call for inmates to be offered paid work in businesses set up within prison walls. Executive director Soraya Solomon told Parliament’s Correctional Services Portfolio Committee that such ventures should be aimed at petty offenders.
“We need to treat prison labour as part of the workforce and not as a separate entity. We would do well to introduce profit-oriented employment practices within the prison as part of the reintegration process of the prisoner,” she said.
NICRO Deputy Executive Director director Celia Dawson said that the type of “production centres” that could be developed in prisons included businesses such as waste recycling and also call centres.
Solomon said a paradigm shift in thinking was needed on crime and criminals. Solomon called for government support to get the project started.
NICRO invited to attend ground breaking restorative justice seminar in Minnesota!
The advanced training on Restorative Dialogue in Severe Criminal and Political Violence takes place in November 2007 at the Centre for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota. Mark Umbreit, renowned author and practitioner in restorative justice practice, was so impressed with the NICRO presentation at an International Restorative Justice Conference in 2006, that he has offered two NICRO Programme Specialists a scholarship to attend the USA training seminars.
This is a wonderful opportunity for NICRO to keep up with contemporary practices in restorative justice and develop specialized skills in restorative interventions, particularly those that deal specifically with violent crimes. Training in dealing with the perpetrators of violent crime is an absolute necessity in an attempt to break the cycle of crime in South Africa. This opportunity will certainly contribute immensely in the gaining of skills and knowledge for NICRO.
NICRO is honoured by the invitation of Mark Umbreit and wish to convey our sincere gratitude for the sponsorship.
NICRO is also very grateful to First National Bank who so generously funded the training trip as well as to Rolf-Stephan Nussbaum Foundation who are funding an extension of the trip, to learn from various organisations in America.
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Fundraising news from the NICRO UK TRUST
Jenine Steenekamp, of the NICRO UK TRUST, challenged all ladies with a heart for South Africa to enter the annual Hydro Active 5km Women’s Challenge, which took place in Hyde Park London on the 16th September. This year 15,000 people entered the event.
Women in London take a leap for SA charity!
44 participants joined in aid of NICRO, which was generously sponsored by Nando’s. The weather turned out to be ideal for the race; very cloudy with a light breeze and the 44-strong NICRO team looked the part in their white NICRO UK Trust t-shirts, sponsored by a South African shop, Bizzy B’s.
After the race all the Seffricans gathered with their friends and relatives at the Nando’s tent to enjoy a well deserved meal, relax and make new acquaintances.
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Media Highlights
The Cape Career Times published an interview with Arina Smit, NICRO Programme Specialist on the 26th March. NICRO celebrated March as official Social Work Month in honour of all social workers in the field who are performing their duties with passion and commitment. The NICRO social worker is the backbone of the organisation, daily working with the underprivileged, the abused, the victim, the offender, their families, troubled youth, women and babies behind bars and traumatized people throughout the country. We salute you!
NICRO was once again in the media spotlight in May when Celia Dawson and Gerhard Jansen Van Vuuren penned a pungent press release in reaction to the ruling of the Constitutional Court refusing to extend the definition of rape to include “ male rape”. They expressed dismay at the fact, that whilst the Court did extend the legal definition of rape to include non-consensual anal rape of females, it refused to do the same for males.
The media reacted equally outraged: Good Hope FM: NICRO slams new rape definition… Radio Algoa: NICRO dismayed that definition of rape does not include males…Peoples Post: NICRO Deputy Executive Director Celia Dawson said the distinction it has made appears to be irrational and senseless.
NICRO’s reaction to the release of Crime Statistics by the Department of Safety and Security sparked huge interest in the press in July: Cape Argus 6 July- Social response to crime is vital: Responses to crime also require a social crime prevention response…A paradigm shift in communities is required which promotes the breaking of the silence. News24.com 5 July- 'Law enforcement not enough' The latest crime statistics reinforce the view that a law-enforcement approach is not a sufficient response to crime, although it is a necessary first step, said NICRO on Thursday. Voice of the Cape 5 July-NICRO has said that recent statistics have indicated that the law enforcement approach is not enough to combat crime, although it is a necessary first step.
In September the country is in the grip of an upsurge of youth violence. NICRO reacts:
“…we firmly believe that answers can be found in the return to the time-tested systems of positive values, conflict resolution and building self esteem as antidote to this unrelenting force of vicious activity by youth-on-fellow-youth, all of whom are considered to still be vulnerable themselves. The most important skill that should be taught to ALL youth is how to resolve conflict in a non-violent and non-threatening way, which values the dignity and humanity of both the wronged and the wrong doer; a therapeutic skills education which can be integrated in the individuals permanent repertoire of behavioural responses. Parents and adults must collectively rise to the occasion to teach their children well and set proper examples; this approach should be extended to the entire school curriculum and parents MUST engage in school based efforts, as a condition to school enrolment of their children!” CCFM, East Coast Radio, Heart FM and SAFM reported on this crucial issue.
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Media comments that sparked interest
Cape Times 11 May: NICRO Executive Director Soraya Solomon: Unless petty offenders were given a chance to change their lives, we will never stop the revolving door of people going in and out of prison.
SABC Morning Live 17 May: Arina Smit is interviewed by Vuyo Mbuli, sharing the podium with Minister Nconde Balfour at the opening of the Athlone Safe House at the T.C. Newman Hospital in Paarl.
SABC 3 Kids News 20 May interviews Maria Sephadi of NICRO Soweto on the reintegration of offenders into society.
On the 21st May, SABC Africa, SABC1 and SABC TV news carry the comment of Celia Dawson that: ongoing postponements in courts are causing backlogs in the justice system and overcrowding in the country’s prisons.
www.moneyweb.co.za 9 July - The Renaissance fund in the Nedgroup Investments stable donated to groups with a strong emphasis on helping women, like Rape Crisis. Other beneficiaries have included Childline, Habitat for Humanity and the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of Offenders.
KFM 23 July: NICRO expresses its disgust at the brutal assault of two 16-year-old boys from Belhar, allegedly by the police.
SAFM discusses the high level of child neglect with Celia Dawson on the 26th July
KAYA FM invites Venessa Padayachee to take part in a discussion on the 8th August about the effects of crime on women and how women can combat of crime.
Shift on SABC1 hosted a discussion programme on 3 September on victim support with Venessa Padayachee, NICRO programme specialist.
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Success Stories
From NICRO KZN: Zwano’s Story
Currently a student studying law and criminology at university, life has not always looked so good for 23-year old Zwano.
At the age of 17 and in grade nine at the time, He was arrested for possession of dagga. NICRO’s diversion programme helped him to change his life around.
“I never thought that I would be able to go to university. Now I walk proud knowing that I’m different from others in my community. I have NICRO, as well as some other people, to thank for that,” He said. “It is about a self-realisation. It all lies with the individual understanding the implications of crime. It is not about someone saying ‘don’t do crime ’. An organisation such as NICRO has a role to play, but it is up to the individual.”
For him the impact of the programme was partly due to understanding the implications of crime on the victims, his family and the economy.
His hope for the future is that programmes that teach life skills will be offered increasingly at a younger age and in schools. “ We need to have programmes that address these issues proactively. We have offenders that are eight or nine years old. The current life skills programmes that are offered in schools deal with things like how to brush teeth, but we need to be focusing on issues that relate to the escalating crime.”
Zwano emphasised that he does not intend to defend criminals when he obtains his law degree, but plans to conduct research on crime-related issues.
From NICRO Mitchells Plain
The Diversion and Youth Development Programme is geared towards channelling juvenile offenders away from the criminal justice system into programmes and activities that offer them healthy alternatives and significant development opportunities to turn their lives around and become productive, responsible, law abiding citizens. The Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES programme) assists young people to take stock of their lives and become responsible citizens. It focuses on low-risk, young offenders who have committed less serious offences.
This YES client is 18 and has been diverted twice. While he was doing his community service, he was rearrested for dealing in drugs. He was selling drugs for a dealer when the police raided the place upon which he was arrested and was diverted for a second time to the YES programme.
He has a strong family support structure and is well liked in his church and in his community. After rehab he completed his community service and the YES programme on the 27 June 2007.
His mom says he has changed dramatically and is again the boy she knows and loves.
He was introduced to the Economic Opportunities Programme by the Social Auxiliary worker who facilitates the YES programme and decided to take the opportunity afforded him. Jennifer referred him to the Chrysalis Academy for skills development training in order to increase his opportunity for securing employment. She also helped him with the processing of the application forms and ensured that he was ready for the next intake.
Although he is the one who has changed, he attributes some of the credit for being able to maintain the change, to NICRO. He agreed to speak to international donors at a NICRO head office presentation. He said that if he can help in any way he would not hesitate as it would be his way of saying “thank you” to NICRO for the role they played in his development. He made such a good impression on those present, that the National Director showed a personal interest in his future plans. When he told her that he wanted to study, she arranged an interview with him and promised to help him apply for a bursary to study further. He has expressed the utmost gratitude towards NICRO for opening doors for him, as has his mother. It would be interesting to monitor him as he has the ability to achieve greatness.
From NICRO Head Office NICRO National Programme Specialist, Arina Smit, displayed exemplary passion and commitment to SERVICE EXCELLENCE in solving a very tricky case. Here a letter of commendation from a very grateful client:“It was my good fortune to have been in contact and received very professional help and advice from Arina Smit, an employee of NICRO. I was charged with theft to the value of R6.98 from Checkers, for two chocolates. I had already spent approximately R10 000 in lawyer’s fees and not achieved anything. The senior prosecutor was refusing to withdraw the case or consider alternative options.
As a last resort I contacted Arina Smith from NICRO. She informed me that I was a suitable candidate for diversion and she handled my case from then on.
I am very pleased with the way my case was handled. The commitment and professional help received from NICRO far exceeded my expectations and they gave me better service than my own lawyers.
My case was eventually withdrawn after NICRO contacted the Senior Prosecutor.
It’s hard to believe that NICRO and its employees invest so much of their own time and effort into these cases and yet they do not charge a fee for the service they offer. If only I had got into contact with NICRO sooner I would have saved myself and the state a lot of money and time wasted in court that could have been put to better use.
I think the service being offered by NICRO is great and essential, more especially for people who cannot afford representation. After the exemplary service I’ve received from NICRO, I will also try my best to give something back to the community. If I can assist in any way I would like to offer my services to this organization.
The success story of the month August: Winner: Nontsomi Mayika-Madyo
In the previous Gugulethu YES programme most of the group members were from Langa. This group was characterised by involvement in gangsterism. One of the YES group children was killed by gangsters in April 2007. Hereafter the YES group children tried to move to other family members to get out of the area, but this made schooling difficult.
The violence and intimidation from other rival gangs were brought up by group members in every session. It became so bad that they were afraid to come to group, as they were afraid to use public transport.
The supervisor intervened in this case. Debriefing was arranged for the group members after losing their friend. The debriefing was facilitated by a qualified staff member and this session was followed up with a male qualified ex-offender (also a staff member). This was needed as the group was plotting revenge on the gang that weekend. The group related very well to him and the attendance was good. Debriefing was also arranged for the staff members who were involved with the group.
The facilitators attended the funeral of the boy at the request of the boy’s mother. At the funeral, the facilitators were asked to address the children attending regarding the impact of crime and also addressed the parents. The funeral was like a workshop, each and every parent ended up talking about the behaviour of his/her child.
After the funeral the relationship with the parents were maintained. During follow – ups after the programme, the feedback was very positive. The mother whose boy was killed had another son who had left the house – also attending the YES Programme. He spent Mother’s Day with her, even made her a card. He is staying at home and assisting with household duties when he comes back from school.All their friends have been changed according to the mother.
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Letter from a grateful NICRO client: What I have gained at NICRO
By attending a NICRO programme I have gained knowledge and life-skills. Now I know what it takes to make a right decision so that I and others can benefit without hurting anyone. I have learned to be successful in life, you have to have a goal for the future.
Now I know what I want in life and what I have to do to achieve it. Now I know myself and that there is no failure. I have to study harder to achieve and I don’t need a criminal record that can destroy my future.
NICRO came to my rescue. Now I know my rights and I know how to exercise my rights with responsibility. I think this organisation must be at primary schools so that we can get such knowledge from a young age. I don’t think I would have gone to jail if I had attended NICRO before. To build a better future for our young brothers and sisters, they must have this basic knowledge younger than us so that they won’t get into trouble like I did.
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THANK YOU!
NICRO would like to thank all donors for their kind support, without which NICRO could not continue its life-changing work.
Thank you, thank you and thank you again!
The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund
Department of Social Development
DANIDA - Royal Danish Embassy
CORDAID
A A Newman Family Charitable Trust
W J & D T Armstrong
Albert & Molly Baumann Trust
BoE: R & P Kemp Trust
Brian Lang
Business Sculptors
B W Maskew Muller Trust
C J Lilleshall Trust
Mr C T Chidley
Charl Van Der Merwe Trust
Ms A Coetzee
UBUNTU COMMUNITY CHEST
PIETERMARITZBURG AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY CHEST
Ms C Dawson
DG Murray Trust
The Hon Mr Justice A E B Dhlodhlo
R A Dolby
Miss M Errington
First National Bank
Foschini Group
Mr R Goldman
Grand West Casino
The Hon Mr Justice Ezra Goldstein
Hulett Aluminium
Jet Lee Will Trust
Prof M M Katz
Dr E Lategan
Mr I Meletse
M D Woodgate Charitable Trust
Nedbank Renaissance Fund
Patricia Sheila Polikansky Trust
Planned Pappasa
Rolf-Stephan Nussbaum Foundation
Society of Advocates
Ms S Solomon
Sondor Industries
Streetwires
Ms L Thackeray
USAID
Unitarian Women’s League
University Western Cape (UWC)
Victor Daitz Foundation
Willmott Trust
Gifts in kind:
Africa Art Factory
Appletiser
Arabella Sheraton Hotel
Auction Alliance Auctioneers
Brewers Ims: Interactive Market Systems South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Chorus Call
Chris Moerdyk – Marketing Analyst
Fountain Hotel and Conference Centre
GA Design
Janine Lazarus Media Consultancy
Newsclip Media Monitoring
Pam Golding Commercial Branch City Bowl
The Bay Hotel
The Vineyard Hotel
St Georges Hotel
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Donations and Sponsorship
NICRO appreciates and welcomes your interest, support and comment on programmes and activities country wide.
If you would like to make a donation to NICRO, large or small, you can:
1. Fill in the Donation Pledge Form, print and send it to NICRO with a cheque OR
2. Email the Donation Pledge Form to NICRO.
You can follow this up by sending a cheque or depositing the money directly into NICRO's account OR
3. Set up a monthly Debit Order into NICRO's account.
Click here for NICRO's Bank Details and please fax your bank deposit slip to Lynne Thackeray at +27 21 462 2447 OR
4. Phone Lynne Thackeray direct at +27 21 462 0017
5. Email us with you comments at info@nicro.co.za
6. Please visit our website www.nicro.org.za
Thank you for reading our newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you.