NICRO’s Non-Custodial Sentencing Project is Well Underway!
NICRO, (The National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offender) started a non-custodial sentencing (NCS) pilot project in 2006. In 2008, NICRO ran a small five-site NCS pilot project with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, which concluded in March 2009. Parallel to the Justice pilot project, NICRO received funding from an international donor to deliver NCS programmes at 52 selected magistrate courts. Since then, the NCS project has gone forward in leaps and bounds. NICRO is now delivering NCS services at 25 courts around the country.
Non-custodial sentencing involves the sentencing of offenders to serve their sentence outside of prison. For those offenders who are eligible, the NCS project offers them a chance to change their lives. This is why we have chosen to name our NCS project as “Chance to Change”. NICRO will be hosting a media roundtable in Cape Town on the 19th August 2009, and another one in Johannesburg on the 21st August 2009. The purpose of the media roundtables is to build relationships with the media around the issue of NCS. This is the first step in improving the general public’s understanding of NCS and working towards building public support.
In May 2009, NICRO co-hosted a NCS workshop with magistrates in Gauteng on NCS. The workshop was privileged to have both Constitutional Court Judge Kate O’ Regan and Judge Bertelsmann as guest speakers. NICRO is currently conducting a public attitude survey towards crime, punishment and rehabilitation. This will be ready for release later on this year. The survey report will provide an important discussion point around which NICRO can engage with the public and criminal justice stakeholders, thus facilitating debate and dialogue around punishment and rehabilitation options.
As part of its drive to improve the public’s awareness of NCS, NICRO will soon be launching a Facebook site, as well as a web-based networking forum for criminal justice professionals to engage with each other on NCS. This forum will provide these professionals with the opportunity to network and share their ideas and experiences, and help develop a NCS knowledge base.
For more information on NICRO’s NCS project, please click on the Programmes link at the top of the page.
NICRO NEWS September 2009
CEO Soraya Solomon was invited to participate as a speaker at the ‘South Africa: More than Meets the Eye’ media tour, hosted by The International Marketing Council on behalf of Brand South Africa at Parliament to 28 international journalists on a pre-2010 fact-finding mission.
A media article after the event entitled World Cup host South Africa's media challenge stated that “South Africa also faces serious challenges to achieving the brand, and thereby the investment, that it wants. The nation has the second-highest murder rate per capita in the world after Colombia, with 50 murders a day, according to the latest statistics, for 2007-2008, from the South African Police Service. A study by the country’s Medical Research Council in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces found one in four men had committed rape. It was the latest grim tale to make international headlines last month.
Soraya Solomon, the chief executive of the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO), says she questions the research behind the rape report but not the fact that crime is a serious issue. “I’m not going to be a politician and tell you we don’t have a crime problem. We do face challenges when it comes to crime in South Africa but I believe as a country we are making excellent progress. I think the media caused quite a lot of hype around the issue of crime.”
The tense incident served to show how crucial the media will be in deciding whether South Africa will get the one thing it desires above all others from hosting the World Cup: a lasting boost to its national brand. The person in charge of managing this is Paul Bannister, a fast-talking, wide-smiling former advertising man now serving as the acting chief executive of the International Marketing Council (IMC) of South Africa, otherwise known as Brand South Africa.”
Mr Bannister thanked Ms Solomon after the event:”We really appreciate you sharing your insights and views with this highly influential audience, and deeply appreciate you doing this with integrity, professionalism, honesty and passion. Your contribution as a South African brand ambassador is most valued at this exhilarating time, when we find ourselves on the eve of our next defining moment - the hosting of one of the world’s most prestigious events – the FIFA 2010 World Cup™.”
“A lot of South Africa’s crime is committed by repeat offenders, convicts who have served a term of imprisonment and have not been rehabilitated. In addition, prisons are full of people sentenced for non-violent or minor offences. The project of non-custodial sentences run by NICRO might just have the solution for both these problems. The project was showcased by the Gauteng Magistrates Forum in Pretoria last month. The event was attended by Constitutional, High Court and Magistrate’s Court presiding officers, including Jody Kollapen of the South African Human Rights Commission, as well as several speakers who voiced their opinion of this option to solve re-offending, crime and overcrowded prisons. 59 Magistrates from Gauteng attended the workshop event.
Pretoria Chief Magistrate, Desmond Nair, said one of the aims of this workshop was to see how they could decrease awaiting trial prisoners and to give magistrates an option to move away from imprisonment sentences where possible. “It is an international trend to hand down community based sentences like correctional supervision. Look at the moral fabric of society, and, if you have, for example, a 65-year-old person convicted of fraud, sending him to prison will not make a difference. Instead, giving him a non-custodial sentence might enable the accused to repay society and become a better citizen.”
Celia Dawson of NICRO said the purpose of non-custodial sentences was to reduce re-offending. “The crime rate is high, partly due to repeat offenders. We work with convicted prisoners and try to rehabilitate them. We believe that is the key to fight crime. Offenders are sentenced to attend therapeutic interventions focused on triggers that cause them to commit crime such as substance abuse, where the criminal behaviour will stop once the addiction is overcome,” she said, explaining that someone might commit theft in order to support their addiction. These options were not meant for very violent offenders. They belonged in prison so that the community is protected from them,” Dawson stated.
NICRO’s Arina Smit added that a once-off incident of violent behaviour did not necessarily make someone a danger to society. NICRO’s intervention programmes could be attached to a court sentence as a condition for a correctional supervision sentence or suspended sentence. It is important that a sentence is coupled with our programmes as an order of the court, otherwise offenders will just assume that they don’t need to change.”
NICRO social workers are based at 25 Magistrate’s Courts in the country. The purpose of the workshop was to make magistrates aware of other sentencing options, where an accused can be rehabilitated.
Thanks to the very generous donation of USAID NICRO received a stunning brand new dodge which will be allocated to the Northern Region. We are very proud of driving this fine automobile and wish to thank Digital Vinyl Design for donating the signage! Soon the NICRO MOBILE will be seen in the north!
NICRO last year collaborated with an American film director as executive producer of the short film GARGOYLE. It was featured at the CANNES Film Festival and received great mentions.
SA film explores crime As the Cannes Film Festival draws to a close dozens of South African filmmakers are preparing to return home. A number of the local films were shown in the short corner section of the festival. ‘Gargoyle’ a movie made by an American director with an entirely South African cast and crew used the medium to explore the issue of crime.
The film, which features a song sung by Buli G, highlighted the work the organisation NICRO did to help repatriate criminals into society. Director of the film Kelsey Egan said, “The theme that it deals with and the concepts and subject matter that it explores is pretty much subject matter that NICRO explores in their own programmes, why does crime occur? What are the effects of crime? Not just on victims but on perpetrators as well.”
More good news from the Gargoyle front is that it recently featured at the Durban International Film Festival, at the Rhode Island International Film Festival (4-9 August) and has been accepted at Strasbourg International Film Festival in France!
Gargoyle and the NICRO PSA are also available on the AVOD - on demand in-flight entertainment program - on SAA international flights until October.
In April NICRO was extremely fortunate to have Jill Lazarus take a break from her hectic corporate training schedule to grant management and supervisors 4 hours of intensive media skills training at the Fountains Hotel in Cape Town. Janine had the captive audience in the palm of her hand and demonstrated the media drill with great vigour and insight regarding the very sensitive services NICRO delivers to its vulnerable clients. We saw the immense need for fine tuning the NICRO on air communication skills and the dire need to create the messaging for all the programmes.
A huge thank you to Janine for her professional pro bono services!
Cape Times Karen Breytenbach reported in July: “An advertising executive who made a brief appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court last month for allegedly stoning her well-known PR ex-boyfriend's home in Green Point, has escaped prosecution along with her current boyfriend by making amends and agreeing to do community service. They denied ever intending to harm Levin physically and said they were sorry for their actions. Thompson and Ledingham agreed to do community service, as determined by the state prosecutor and the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of Offenders.”
Kaya FM Alida Boshoff of NICRO North was invited to an hour-long live talk show hosted by John Perlman from Kaya FM to discuss whether we are failing to give ex-prisoners a second chance. The listener response was overwhelmingly positive. The main themes were the reintegration of the ex-offenders into the community and the importance for them to being assisted with programmes in prison and after release. The second theme was employment and the difficulty experienced in securing employment with a criminal record as they have to declare their criminal record which results in companies not employing them.
NICRO gets the THIRD DEGREE on the 28th July when Arina Smit was interviewed by Deborah Patta on ETV Third Degree Plus on Offender Reintegration and the problems ex-offenders experience once released from prison.
The NICRO Marketing and Fundraising team was expanded during the winter months to four functional members, headed by the new marketing director, Greg Bunyard. Karen Rademeyer is the new National Fundraiser and Shanaaz Stofberg was promoted to Donor Relations. Member number 4 Karin Blumer is exhilarated and the planning for the 2010 campaign is full swing.
The new team members were immediately thrown into the deep end with the NICRO centenary looming in 2010 and a fundraising target that would make Bill Gates shudder! One of their most rewarding training sessions included a visit to prison to meet and greet NICRO clients. They returned in awe and tearful about the prospects of inmates!
Congratulations to Gerhard Jansen Van Vuuren who was appointed as new Western Region Manager! Gerhard leaves a huge void at head office where his terrific organizing and training skills will be sorely missed!
Adele Van Straaten sent a note to thank NICRO CEO’s and the Board for their new car!
Non Custodial Sentencing rolled out to Oudtshoorn Court
Since funding for the roll out of NCS to a rural area has been secured, an office space was secured in Oudtshoorn, role players and partners are coming on board, two social workers in George were relocated to Oudtshoorn and started implementing at the court. By the 25th March 2009 the Steering Committee was established.
Prince Albert lends a helping hand
A workshop was conducted for parents of high risk children in cooperation with Badisa and the SAPS Social Crime Officer to discuss child abuse, domestic violence, children’s and parent’s needs and parental skills. 21 single unemployed parents reflected on their challenges in raising their children within this community. They were motivated to be caring and loving parents despite their personal and community challenges and introduced to local resources and service providers.
Youth Day in Prince Albert
NICRO Prince Albert and the local Probation Officer Mia Coetzee organized a Youth Day event “Youth for the Youth” where 390 learners participated. A pre-holiday program was also organized by DSD to youth in the community where NICRO facilitated drug abuse matters to 47 youths.
NICRO’s first visit to the village of Klaarstroom between Prince Albert and De Rust was well received as this community has a great need for interventions and information. The focus was on grade 4 and 5 learners and sessions focusing on crime in schools linked to child protection month, sexual abuse linked to child abuse, children’s rights and responsibilities and the physical damage of drugs on the human body, with focus on cigarettes, alcohol, dagga, tik, house remedies, glues and certain medicine
Beaufort West drives the change
A crime awareness programme with BADISA and the Department of Social Development focused on emotional and economic abuse of older persons by family members and other members in the community. The elderly were informed about their rights as stipulated in the Bill of Rights for Older Persons.
A very successful workshop (Heal the Youth) with 34 youths from the community was conducted on Youth Day to build the youth’s capacity to make informed choices regarding drugs and crime. This also presented an opportunity to evaluate the youth’s perception of crime in their community and to identify other needs among them. The discussion on drugs resulted in a lively response from the youth.
The introduction workshop of the Safety Ambassadors from the 29th - 30th May was supported by SAPS and DSD Beaufort-West on the work of NICRO, the crime situation, the history of Safety Ambassadors and their respective roles and responsibilities in their school and community. The parents were invited to join the activities on the Saturday. The participants were eager and positive throughout and signed a declaration committing themselves for 3 years. 31 high risk participants of YES and ADAPT joined to identify and discuss possible solutions to several community problems such as drug abuse/child abuse/assault/DV/crime/teen pregnancy/HIV/prostitution.
NICRO Western Regional Manager Fayruz Davids said goodbye in May at a joyful head office get together. NICRO thanks Fayruz for her dedicated service to our clients in the Western Region. May your new venture be successful and prosperous!
Thank you ABSA main funder of the Business Skills Training Progamme attended the event for the handover of certificates and tools to participating ex-offenders under parole supervision at Stanger Community Corrections in Ilembe Municipality District on the 27th June
Victim Empowerment Training for SAPS reservists from Empangeni, Richards Bay, Esikhawini and Mthunzini A nine day training programme was organized as an initiative of the local victim empowerment forum for 21 SAPS members and Reservists by Life Line Zululand. Facilitators included SANCA Zululand and NICRO Empangeni and Life Line who started the training with a 3 day accredited personal growth Barongwa Training followed by training on the Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Offenses Act, Children’s Act, Child Abuse, Child Justice Bill and stress and trauma management
NICRO participates in a NPA crime awareness day - the information stand attracted great interest
NICRO Empangeni introduced training on the Child Justice Bill to sensitise police in handling young offenders who are in conflict with the law. The rights and responsibilities of the SAPS members as well as the young offenders in terms of the law were discussed. Trainees became acquainted with Diversion and Alternative Sentencing for the first time! NICRO also facilitated the training on the Domestic Violence Act. The Zululand Observer captured this memorable event. Thank you to the City of Umhlatuze Municipality who funded the training.
Community service clients clean up the Msunduzi river monthly in partnership with Duzi Umgeni Conservation Trust
A view of the Journey East London
“I enjoyed the Journey, I liked the activities especially the canoeing and bush art. It was nice to experience things we never did like abseiling and to meet new friends at the camp. It was a refreshing experience to be away from the community”
We thank our funders USAID and Social Development for the tremendous support to make this Journey a success
NICRO North West was selected to be part of the Confederation Cup Soccer Match in Rustenburg thanks to Sarah Maponya, NICRO North West Administrator, and Investec Social Investment who made this possible. NICRO North West received a donation of 80 tickets for the 3rd /4th place match on the 28th June at Royal Bafokeng Stadium Rustenburg and these were distributed to NICRO clients who thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being part of the Confederation Cup Tournament!
Karlien Park rocked when during the winter holidays NICRO initiated a school holiday project with 50 youths to create awareness of the impact of substances as well as crime prevention. Due to the lack of community resources youths engage in negative leisure activities and in experimenting with substances.
The students of the North West University Mafikeng in partnership with Department of Arts and Culture and local businesses facilitated a week program at the Karlien Park Primary School. The program included indigenous games to establish relationships and build group cohesion, interactive activities discussing the impact of substances and a performing arts competition where the message portrayed the causal factors and the impact of crime on communities. Due to various donations from Waterkroon Development and Platinum Build It, the participants could enjoy the latest blockbuster at SterKinekor. Participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to engage in positive activities to develop insight in the impact of substance and crime on their lives and plan for the future.
NICRO attended the National Children's Rights Advisory Council meeting in Benoni where Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, Minister for the new Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities addressed the audience. The involvement in the advisory counsel will ensure that youth in conflict with the law have access to justice in that they will have equal and appropriate opportunities to assessment, diversion services and alternative sentencing options. Northern Region Manager Betzi Pierce emphasized that government needed to provide capacity especially with the implementation of the Child Justice Act i.e. secure care centers, social workers, social auxiliary workers as well as the participation of civil society.
Testimony of a prisoner who attended the Tough Enough Programme at Grootvlei Prison in Bloemfontein
“The tag to this individual before u today is Ben*, born and bred in the dusty streets of Rocklands, BLOEMFONTEIN. I am a 23year old young man with goals to reach and still traveling through the Journey to success, knowing that I am blessed from the God above no one can curse. Now I know the question on your minds is that what am I doing standing in this concrete? What divided me from the world outside? Well, way back as a boy, troubled by these wounded streets, I had to do just anything to survive the double edge sword of depression and perseverance. How could I dodge social factors when I could not handle the pressure pushing me towards criminal activities? Now I am standing before u being labeled a criminal which I was unaware till I got convicted. Today, yes today I stand before u, tough enough to be accepted back into the community as a proud 23 year old young man to bring about change in our society, starting with myself and thanks to NICRO for allowing me to indulge in their programme. Today I do not need a gun to make u listen, because I am armed with heavy ammunition which is knowledge and wisdom. I have converted from an aggressive and passive person to an assertive proud individual who took the first step towards being independent and to analyse the consequences of every deed. Through the NICRO programmes, I have learned that to open-up, starts with trust and accepting the situation. How am I similar to a candle, what are the things that keeps my candle alight? Support, family and friends. Please take note that through the situation I am in and through NICRO’s programmes, it is a whole new metamorphosis, from a young boy confused and depressed to a young man who is assertive and Tough Enough today. Thank you. Ben.”
Piet determined to make a difference
Piet is 17 and stays on a farm 45km from town. His parents have no car nor is there public transport in this area. Piet was so driven to change his life and overcome his obstacles that he convinced his mother to rent a car to bring him to town to attend the NICRO PTCS programme. He found accommodation with family in order to complete the allocated hours in a short period of time, even doing more hours than expected and impressed his supervisor to such an extent that she thought of rewarding him. She praised him for the way he conducted himself although he is still very young.
Hope for Hope
Hope is a 20 year old girl of Hartswater who was accused of shoplifting on two counts. She is in grade 12 and grew up in a rural area in a poor family. Hope learned not to ask for money when she needed it, but to search through the house for money and take what she needed. If she asked for it, the answer would always be no! Hope felt as if there is never money available for her needs. She soon fell pregnant and after her child was born she returned to school to try and secure a better future for her child. Although they were still residing with Hope's mother, she soon realised that it would be a difficult task to provide in her and her daughter's needs, hence she started shoplifting. During assessment her individual needs were identified and addressed during individual counselling sessions. Hope displayed courage and determination to build a better future and her positive attitude to change, an agreement was reached between the NICRO and the state prosecutor to withdraw both the cases if the state could be convinced of the progress made by the client.
Unfortunately on the day Hope was supposed to appear in court in June 2009, she had to write exams. Although the social worker submitted an exam timetable to the prosecutor and a feedback report on her Diversion process a week before the scheduled appearance, Hope was informed that she would be arrested for not attending court. The social worker contacted the prosecutor to sort out the misunderstanding. Hope was crying and in a state. At the court all the necessary dockets were gathered. The NICRO worker had her case file with all the documents, stating when what documents were submitted to the prosecutor and all the agreements and services. This enabled the social worker to assist in sorting out the misunderstanding. Hope was released within hours from her arrest and both the cases were withdrawn by the State.
Hope's attitude towards life changed from: The world owes me, to an attitude of: I have to accept responsibility for my own life.
The story of Victor
“I’m a 21 year old male studying at a University of Technology and as a young teenager received assistance at NICRO. My story started when I saw classmate’s i-pod. I liked gadgets and I asked to borrow it. If only I knew that after a few days the i-pod would break and I will have to fix it and buy new batteries, but I only had money to fix it and didn’t have money to buy the batteries so then I decided to take matters to my own hands by going to a shop and getting those batteries illegally which saw me being caught and staying a night in prison during my final exams that affected me a lot. I went to court the following day and fortunately the judge sent me to NICRO to do my community service and get some help. I arrived at NICRO and did my 120 hours of community service and being counseled by Nelly Ngcobo during that course, and she helped me understand the consequences of crime and having to realize that I almost lost my whole entire life just for batteries which only cost R21 that my whole entire life would have been done over something that is so small. After I did my whole 120 hours I was fortunate to land myself a job in a construction company as jnr civil engineer and having to move on from that horrible chapter of my life. I owe a great deal of thanks to Nelly Ngcobo and NICRO for helping a boy from a highly disadvantage family and community in big city like Durban, to see the light, follow it, reach it and be prosperous in life. Thanks Nelly, thanks NICRO. Keep doing a magnificent job.” Mr. Victor Junior Civil Engineer
Michael is reaching for his dream
Michael Sibande* walked into our offices in Soweto one morning in May 2008, radiating confidence and determination to turn his life around. He has been released from prison in February 2007 after serving 5 years of a 7 years prison sentence for armed robbery. Before his release he corresponded with the social worker who sent letters of motivation and emotional support. Michael first tried to find employment on his own before resorting to seek NICRO’s assistance. Michael is a slight young man of 32 who completed a business course in prison. He was sharing a room with two friends in Soweto as his family lived in the Free State. He chose to live in the vicinity of Johannesburg as job prospects were better there. Finding a job took a long time to materialize and we persevered with motivating the client to not give up, compiling a CV, allowing him to make telephone calls and faxing his CV to many potential employers. It took five months to find his first employer after the social worker assisted with placing a short free advertisement in a local newspaper. The administrative job in Newlands was not paying well and strenuous but Michael kept at it for 3 months whilst looking out for other employment. He was offered a learnership with a shipping company and soon after the offers of employment started rolling in as per Murphy’s Law. In spite of the good job offers he decided to pursue the learnership as it offers better future prospects in the shipping industry. Michael calls the social worker from time to time to thank him and updating him on his progress.
Budding rugby star turns the corner
Ayanda* is a 16 year old rugby player was referred to NICRO Soweto after being charged with common assault. Initially the life skills facilitator had great difficulty in pointing out in individual counselling sessions and in the initial phases of the life skills group sessions that it was not the norm to resolve disputes and differences by fighting and aggressive behaviour, but as the group work processes unfolded and with individual counselling sessions on anger management and conflict management discussed in the group, Ayanda experienced a mind shift and mentioned that he did not realise that boys and men could resolve conflict in non-violent ways. He also did not realise that a criminal record could jeopardize his career as a rugby player and that should he reach the upper ranks of the rugby world he may be disqualified from travelling to other countries to practise his sport or represent the country. Towards the end of the programme Ayanda was very verbal in encouraging others in the group to see sport as one way of channelling their energy in a positive direction and as a way to avoid involvement in crime. Follow up interventions indicated a good prognosis for the future of this sport loving young man.
Glen the soccer star at NICRO
The Diversion life skills group was all abuzz when they learnt that one of the under 21 squad of the two most prominent soccer teams in the soccer league was joining their group. Glen* was arrested for theft of alcohol from a bottle store for a soccer party. It also emerged during life skills that Glen had stolen a pair of soccer boots in the past from another football team but had never been caught. Like many of the young people who pass through the Diversion programme Glen was enlightened about the consequences of having a criminal record, particularly on what effect it would have on employment and travelling. This was pertinent in Glen’s case as there would be possibilities of both becoming a professional soccer player and travelling to other countries to play. Glen was so inspired by the life skills programme that he wanted to pass the information on to other young men and women in the soccer league. He successfully completed his life skills programme and will now able to travel overseas in November.
The Dancer
Amanda* is a 17 year old girl who is training to become a professional dancer at Fuba Johannesburg. She is already doing so well as background dancer for prominent music bands and appearing on some music videos. Amanda came to NICRO as a result of shoplifting. This young woman was an inspiration and resource to other aspiring dancers in the group. Because of her exposure to the world of entertainment and the arts she was able to point others in the group to contact bodies and persons who could help them further their careers or hobbies. She was also able to inform members where to go to for free internet access. Amanda completed her life skills programme successfully and charges were dropped. She remains in contact with the facilitator who invited Amanda to witness during some of her life skills sessions.
The Story of Sady
Sady was a first time offender arrested for shoplifting and after assessment referred to attend the YES and PTCS programmes. She successfully completed both and her case was successfully withdrawn by court in December 2008. Sady revealed that NICRO has assisted her in acquiring direction in planning her future successfully. She reported that in 2008 she was enrolled at the University of Johannesburg. She valued her friendship with her peers and failed to apply herself to her full potential academically. Six months after completion of the programme, the worker communicated with her parents telephonically. The parents were so impressed with her current behavior; they reported that NICRO has helped Sady distance herself from her peers who had a negative influence on her. Sady is in her second year at the University of Johannesburg, focused and motivated to complete her studies.
NICRO on air in Qwa Qwa
In the poor community of QWAQWA in the Eastern Free State, most of the people don’t have the luxury of quality education and most of them cannot read. At first it was difficult for NICRO to get the recognition that it deserves because people did not have information about the organization, and that meant that many of our young people were exposed to crime and did not have any kind of help. With the establishment of the QwaQwa Community Radio Station, the worker went to the station manager to sell NICRO and its Diversion program. The meeting went well and the station decided to give the worker a slot in one of the station’s programmes. It was amazing how many people in the community who had problems with their children responded positively towards the programme and we had callers around the QwaQwa area asking questions and wanting advice. People were happy and amazed that they have such an organization that can help fight crime and teach their children life skills in their communities. Though we reached most of the community via the radio station, people could not make it to our office because of the distance they had to travel, but from that programme we started to get positive attitude from the different stakeholders like the Police and Community Based Organizations which then started referring youth to us. I believe that with this kind of attitude and marketing NICRO will reach even more people out there who need our services.
A new journey for Eva
Any journey must have a beginning but not necessarily an ending. Life's journeys are endless and we are the masters of our journeys. We can control its successes and failures. We control its outcome by our own choices and by our own personal growth. The only person that can make a difference in your life is YOU. We are our own success stories! My personal journey with NICRO started in a very difficult and challenging time in my life. I guess the best way to describe it, is by saying my life was dark, full of problems, disappointments and huge responsibilities being a single mother of twin girls and after a prolonged and acrimonious divorce for 3 and half years. I made a mistake by walking out of a shop with an insignificant bracelet twisted around my wrist, merely because I had forgotten it was there in the first place. My mind was focused on having to rush to the chemist and then home to my kids. That day changed my life dramatically as I went through the most unforgettable and shocking day and night of my life. Luckily after appearing in court twice, I was given a SECOND chance! I was offered a Diversion by attending a course at NICRO. Naturally I have never heard of this organization before nor did I have any idea of what to expect. All I knew was that this was my SECOND chance to change a wrong to right. A chance was far more appealing to me than being labeled a criminal and facing criminal charges. The day arrived when I had to go into town (a scary thought to begin with) and commence my Diversion course. I was in total denial, shock and fright! I honestly did not know what to expect and we all know how that can creep into our systems and paralyze us! Expect the unexpected I told myself. So I did! To my pleasant surprise the staff members at Nicro were amazingly friendly and NOT judgmental of me what so ever! This was a good sign! Our Diversion facilitator was a foreign lady with no preconceptions about anyone present. The group was very diverse in race, age and gender. I could not believe how everyone just got along and shared so many personal views, feelings emotions and their own horrific experiences. For that hour on a weekly basis we were ONE! We were allowed to be ourselves and possessed an immense respect for one another. The course was well presented and made its mark in all of our hearts, souls and deepest self. It taught us to revisit our lives our actions and most importantly the consequences of our actions. It taught us to respect one another to understand each others backgrounds and most of all not to judge. After all we are all human and living on the same planet called earth. We all have the same dreams inspirations and the right to BE! NICRO gave me this chance, and for that I am eternally grateful. When we take responsibility, we gain mastery and then we can change things. When we react we become the victim, when we respond, we are taking responsibility. When we accept that we choose to attract or create everything in our lives, then we are ready to take full responsibility. While we are poor little victims, believing that we are pawns in the hands of fate or other people, we are stuck and disempowered. We have lessons to learn, so we invoke situations into our lives to provide us with an experience to show us 'who we are'. Looking back now, I'm thankful for my situation and for the chance that I was given to experience who I truly am. I am the success story of myself. I choose to see this experience as a personal lesson of growth, enlightenment and fortune; to remain focused and to never repeat the same mistake twice. Thank you NICRO.
A Fresh* start
Fresh is a 16 year old boy. He was referred after he stole a chocolate from Shoprite. Fresh hails from a very unstable and abusive background. His parents separated in 2004 and he grew up witnessing abuse from his parents. This led the youth to be rebellious both at home and even at school. Fresh did not enjoy good relations with his parents and school authorities during this time. When he came to NICRO he was truant and had already dropped out of school whilst doing grade 8. He was assessed and placed in the YES programme. The youth admitted that that he learnt a lot from the 8 sessions he attended.
“I enjoyed the session on rights and responsibilities, also the bus game, which is how to communicate with others. I also learnt about the consequences of crime”. Fresh states that though it was a good opportunity to learn life skills he felt angry about his situation. He admitted doing wrong and felt ashamed for having stolen. He further states that it was difficult to come and sit for the group already feeling tired from school. He regarded it as enough punishment experienced and said the programme has empowered him.
“I like NICRO because now I am no longer doing the same thing I used to do, no more, I have started going to school and I am enjoying my stay with my family.
The journey has given him a sense of belonging and made him more responsible. He admitted that he will not commit crime again as he now understands the consequences of having a criminal record. Fresh is now more focused to pursue academic and technical excellence and become an accountant.
Thank you to all our donors for your life-giving support to the citizens of our country who dare to dream of a new life and change their vision and attitude to become proud members of our VIBRANT society!
PRESS RELEASES
NICRO outraged about untimely removal of Correctional Services Commissioner!
30 October 2008
NICRO, the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders, herewith declares its outrage and disappointment with the decision of the Department of Correctional Services to remove Commissioner Vernie Petersen from his position.
Read more
The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) takes a stand against crime in a major way!
01 August 2008
The NLDTF has donated a record amount of R33,006,687.00 to NICRO, the National Institute for Crime prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders.
Read more
NICRO welcomes the long-awaited passing of the Child Justice Bill
26 June 2008
This Bill will secure a comprehensive implementation of child justice; offering a chance to restore and rebuild the child to accept the responsibility to be a law-abiding citizen contributing to create a safe country.
Read more
Press Release: The Death of Muniba Kruger
25 March 2008
The violent death of Muniba Kruger, allegedly at the hands of her father, an ex-prisoner, has once again focussed attention on issues related to bail, awaiting trial, rehabilitation and parole.
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NICRO’s submission on the Child Justice Bill proposes that proper Assessment and Diversion be allowed for all children regardless of age or offence.
Arina Smit,
19 February 2008
In the light of the latest crime statistics and the recent flood of reported violent acts by children and youth, it is critical that the legislators of the country recognize that, in order to effectively wipe out this endemic phenomenon, the first priority should be to create the necessary tools and services to assess, evaluate and determine an appropriate response and plan for each child. If a crime or an offence is committed perpetrators have to be held accountable; in the case of children though, it should be made clear that the behaviour of a child-offender can not be compared to that of an adult offender. The misinformed perception that exists is crime is crime and they must pay, regardless.
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NICRO welcomes the recently announced review of the Criminal Justice System.
Celia Dawson. Deputy Executive Director,
12 November 2007
It has been evident for some time that the different components of the Criminal Justice system, viz the courts, including the magistrates and prosecutors, the police and the prisons operate as separate planning and implementing entities. They have separate and different strategic objectives, strategic and operational plans, and of course different political leadership. Even in instances where Departments account to the same political head, as in the case of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, you will find the organisational components within the Department pursuing matters separately.
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NICRO turning the tide on crime
Karin Blumer,
29 October 2007
The senseless killing of Lucky Dube caused an outcry among law-abiding citizens and outlaws alike.
Prisoners in Pretoria serving time for violent crimes voiced their outrage by signing a petition stating: "Though we are serving sentences for crimes similar to this one, we feel we have wronged our nation and there is no justification for this barbaric act. This is our way of apologizing to the community and a sign that we have changed."
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DIVERSION PROGRAMMES
Cheryl Goodenough,
KZN Mercury
26 September 2007
Some offenders who commit petty crimes that do not warrant criminal penalties are being given the opportunity to participate in diversion programmes. The aim of such restorative justice initiatives is to rehabilitate offenders and the result is that the participants who successfully complete such programmes avoid having a criminal record which may impact on their future. The initiatives are often offered to young offenders, but even adults who are charged with minor offences and are willing to accept responsibility for their actions, may be able to participate in diversion programmes.
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YOUTH-ON-YOUTH VIOLENCE
25 September 2007
South Africa is gripped by a wave of teenage violence which defies any reason. Very young children, as young as 12 and 14 years, have perpetrated deeds so violent and cruel, resulting in the deaths of equally young and vulnerable victims.
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NICRO urges South African women to stand up to crime
07 August 2007
Mothers of crime victims such as Simphiwe Mokhahlu, Brett Goldin, baby Jordan Leigh Norton, Mikayla Rossouw and Steven Siebert continue their lives with the knowledge that crime should be prevented and combated with all means available to the state and those responsible for our safety and security. They continue with the knowledge that every individual has to be involved to make a difference in our crime ridden society.
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