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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Colloquium on Indigenous Practice within the Context of Restorative Justice and Non Custodial Responses to Youth Crime 20-22 June 2007
20 June 2007
The purpose of the colloquium is to explore the links between what is today known as restorative justice, and what we can loosely refer to as informal or traditional justice (or indigenous practice), within the context of child justice.
The National Institute for Crime prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders
23 March 2007
NICRO celebrates MARCH as official SOCIAL WORK MONTH in honour of all social workers in the field who are performing their duties with vigour, passion and commitment to their mission in order to help others help themselves.
The release of Mr Yengeni from prison after serving less than five months of a four-year sentence has resulted in a public outcry and perceptions that he received preferential treatment owing to his high profile connections and political status. Reports of Mr Yengeni having been awarded weekend release privileges and media coverage ostensibly depicting him imbibing in alcohol have contributed towards this view.
NICRO Response to Release of New Crime Statistics by Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula
28 October 2006
NICRO, the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders, is heartened by the news there has been a significant reduction in certain crime categories, most notably serious and violent assault, common assault, common robbery and attempted murder. Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula made specific mention of a reduction in other violent crime such as murder, rape and hijacking, but the decrease has been minimal. The stark reality is that the high incidence of these contact crimes remains cause for very grave concern.
NICRO to Release Findings of Research Study into the Phenomenon of Babies Behind Bars
13 September 2006
NICRO, the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders, will release the findings of its exploratory research on the impact that growing up within a prison environment could have on a child who remains with its mother during her incarceration at a morning seminar at Pretoria Central Prison on Thursday, September 21, 2006.
NICRO, the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders, has joined the ranks of the many individuals and institutions voicing concern about the recently launched Crime Expo SA website.
NICRO hopes to encourage debate around the use of imprisonment as well as alternates to imprisonment as a sanction for crime and punishment by way of this colloquium.
It is widely accepted that there should always be consequences for criminal wrongdoing, and that most convicted persons should have a sanction imposed on them. The nature of this sanction – imposed by society through the courts – is, however, a complex issue that needs to be addressed.
NICRO (the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders) is set to enter a new era and implement far-reaching actions that will ensure the transformation of the organisation into a thriving Southern African and global ‘blue chip’ non-profit organisation.
South Africa is a democratic country and its citizens are required to acknowledge and respect its constitutional institutions, more especially the criminal justice system. Yesterday saw the conclusion of the highly publicised Jacob Zuma trial. It is NICRO’s position that the trial was conducted fairly and justly, and the decision of the court must be respected.
NICRO Response to Crime Fighting Strategy Released by Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cabinet Cluster
08 April 2006
NICRO, the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders, welcomes the attention that government has recently focussed on crime and the combating of criminal activities. Crime should, however, be in receipt of consistent and high profile attention throughout, and not only at times of crisis.
NICRO Response to Die Burger Request on the Issue of Bail
07 March 2006
NICRO is firm in its belief that all South Africans are required to acknowledge and respect this country’s constitutional institutions, more particularly the criminal justice system. It is NICRO’s position that all judicial proceedings must be conducted fairly and justly, that each case be tried on its merits and that due process be followed at all times.
