The independent impact evaluation will begin in April 2012 and the results, focusing on recidivism, will be released in 2013.

Let us pull out all the stops so we can close the DFID project with a bang!

View it online HERE

To download, right-click HERE and select ‘save link as’.

In my life I have never known of anything that can come between crime and humans, but NICRO can. I am a male of about 38 years. I live in —.

I was at work on the 15^th of January 20–. It was a Saturday and that I was off duty but at work to submit the returned stock from —.  I was asked by my manager to help them work on that Saturday because one of the drivers was absent. I then told them that I have some family business to do at home and have to go travel some distance.  My manager agreed to lend me transport after work to go home after I finished my work. I took the car from the company.  While travelling, the ball joint broke and I called my manager who said he would send the tow truck.  I then used the other car, the bakkie as an alternative transport. A case of the use of a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission was opened and I was arrested.

My case was then diverted to NICRO.

I went for adult diversion to NICRO where I learnt a lot about NICRO and my case was withdrawn.  I have learned life skills that means how to live a good life without problems.  How to manage conflict so that you can’t see yourself getting into problems of being in a crime situation.

Now I have changed altogether. Before I act I think of what would be the results of my actions.  I just wanted to work again at the company.  They have a problem with me so that they see a big change that is in me as well as my relationship with them will be a healthy one.

NICRO helped me not to be short tempered. I now started to identify my weaknesses in life, so that I can turn them into strengths.  I feel thankful that the magistrate mandated me to NICRO because I learned things I did not know before. If I did not learn these things, I would be going back to the court room.  So NICRO taught me conflict management (life skills).

Yes to the magistrates who sent me to NICRO. Please continue to be a kind person as you are by making people who have offended realise that there are things you can do, or think before you act or take actions that can take you to jail. By sending them to NICRO as well as taking NICRO into our communities, workplaces as well as be part of K53 traffic laws to the drivers.  So that NICRO can teach people about adult life skills (conflict management).

For the people out there who never committed any crime, please have the so-called conflict management. Try always to avoid problems, think before you act.

My plans for the future now is to have a good job, a permanent job so that I can maintain my family and register to study part time Law (LLB) degree with UNISA.  Even if I can get a driver’s job.

In my case no one was harmed or hurt because that was their plan of taking me out of work so I would like to say to them, please stop opening cases against your employees and take NICRO into your company to give life skills programmes (conflict management) and that you must also be part of that.

When I first arrived at NICRO I was confused, nervous thinking only about prison.  But now I am well because NICRO built me.  It taught me about conflict management.

NICRO has chosen to allow blogs written by offenders to be posted on its website in order to give those who are normally silenced in society an opportunity to express themselves.

The contents of the blogs, the opinions expressed and the points made in the blogs are not those of NICRO and do not represent any official NICRO position. Furthermore, NICRO does not assume any responsibility or liability for opinions or statements made in the offender blogs. The blogs are edited simply for grammar and typing errors. On occasion names of people have been removed.

With the high cost of living in this current time our communities are struggling to feed their families. Most of these matriculants would be faced with challenges of finding employment to add to the family income. It is with this struggle that many might be tempted to succumb to activities that promise easy money. It is crucial that as a family and community we need to work together to encourage and strengthen our bonds in crime prevention. We are calling to all matriculated youth who were not lucky to further their education or find employment to consider volunteerism within their communities.

As the country continues to have an increase in unemployment, volunteerism in youth could be one way to combat this. It is important that we educate and welcome volunteerism in our communities. Not only can this changes one’s behaviour but it could lead to employment or better an opportunity to further your studies.

Studies conducted over time in many countries indicated that adolescence is the most common age for law breaking throughout one’s life span. Young people who become involved in petty acts of delinquency and minor crimes at a very young age are likely to continue committing crime. The National Institute for Crime prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO) rolled out a program called Safety Ambassadors. This intervention is grounded in the concept of developing and mentoring “safety ambassadors” at secondary school level. Safety ambassadors are selected young people who have been empowered with the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and motivation to serve as positive role models. Safety ambassadors interact with and positively influence circles of youth, dissuading them from participating in anti-social behaviour and criminal activities. it is with this that we encourage a continuation of positive mentorship programs for those who have matriculated.

There are many different organisations that one could consider if they are interested in volunteerism. Below are two links of such organisation that would help in connecting one to other organisations: Volunteer centre http://www.volcent.co.za/, Volunteer Child Network http://www.volunteerchildnetwork.org.za/home.php3?item=organisations&theprovince=4 or even government departments.

We believe that with the help of the youth, together with both civil organisations and communities our school leaving youth will lead a safer lifestyle. Though they might be in a critical stage of being tempted to be involved in anti social behaviour we have faith that they are equipped to make the right choice.

Once again congratulation to all who matriculated and to our communities and families that continues to support and mentor our future leaders towards a more prosperous safer future.

Enquiries:

Jacques Sibomana

Communication and Marketing Manager

Tel: (021) 462-0017

Mobile: 083 3456 875

Fax: +27(0)21 462 2447

Email: Jacques@nicro.co.za

Website: www.nicro.org.za

Twiiter: @NICRO_

http://www.facebook.com/pages/NICRO/201049566591118

The following people have taken the values of NCS and restorative justice to heart. They have been nominated by NICRO staff for their efforts to raise the profile of NCS and restorative justice. 

They should receive public acknowledgment.

National Prosecuting Authority

Alma Smith (Cape Town)

Carmen Daniels (Cape Town)

Nombeko Ngxande (Zwelitsha)

Ms. Khungeka Tshaka (Queenstown)

Correctional Services

Mr Fuaat Gallie (Cape Town)

Judiciary

Judge Eberhard Bertelsmann (Gauteng)

Mr. Andries Nel (Deputy Justice Minister)

Magistrate Pieter du Plessis (Protea)

Magistrate Christo Schutte (Port Elizabeth)

Magistrate Lani Mareena Opperman (Batho)

Magistrate Asayvanie Pillay (Batho)

Magistrate Fanie Stander (East London)

Magistrate Desmond Krummeck (Queenstown)

Thank you!

View it online HERE

To download, right-click HERE and select ‘save link as’.

Diversion: Diversion is a pre-trial process which diverts offenders away from the criminal justice system. Generally it is offered to first time offenders, although diversion has been successfully offered to repeat offenders. Both adults and children can be diverted. We have seen an increase in adult diversions over the past few years. 38% of all referrals to NICRO are for adult diversion, compared with 10% prison referrals and 8% NCS referrals. The remaining 44% are for youth diversion.

 
View it online HERE

To download, right-click HERE and select ‘save link as’.

This initiative seeks to entrench appropriate restorative justice
responses to crime. It will do so by influencing government policies
and legislation, in addition to developing and implementing an
Indigenous Justice pilot project as well as Non-Custodial Sentencing
involving participation in therapeutic interventions to prevent reoffending.
In this manner NICRO will contribute towards a reduction
in crime and assist offenders to achieve a better life.

 
View it online HERE

To download, right-click HERE and select ‘save link as’.

However, the use of DUI Panel is not without its challenges. As with any intervention, it is important to be clear as to what we hope to achieve with the intervention. DUI Panels presumably seek to deter offenders convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol from committing further similar offences. The panel consists of a series of presentations made by victims of DUI accidents or the family members of people who have been killed by drunk drivers.

View it online HERE

To download, right-click HERE and select ‘save link as’.

To join the forum, you have to sign up and have your request approved.  There are currently 131 members.

The forum boasts a searchable research library as well as networking facilities. Videos and photos are also available, as well as discussion groups.

To access the application page, please click here.

To access the home page (public access), please click here.

I have changed myself.  My relationships have improved.  I want to be with good people and leave those with bad behaviour.  I am able to manage conflict better now.  I have started going back to school and to improve my relationships with other people.

I feel thankful that the magistrate sentenced me to NICRO and not to jail, because this was my first crime.  I would like to say to them thank you for sentencing me to NICRO and not to jail, because if that happened I would not be able to go back to school.

I would like to say that people should learn from my mistakes.  I plan for my future when I pass Matric.  I want to be a businessman.  I see this is a better thing to do when I get older. It will be nice.  I will say to people that they must stop hurting others by their actions, and to just behave, because this will put you in jail, and that is not life.

NICRO has chosen to allow blogs written by offenders to be posted on its website in order to give those who are normally silenced in society an opportunity to express themselves.

The contents of the blogs, the opinions expressed and the points made in the blogs are not those of NICRO and do not represent any official NICRO position. Furthermore, NICRO does not assume any responsibility or liability for opinions or statements made in the offender blogs. The blogs are edited simply for grammar and typing errors. On occasion names of people have been removed.