Ex-offenders creating opportunities for themselves

Journey Participants

Despite many fine accomplishments having been achieved since the dawn of the new democracy twelve years ago, South Africa remains a country with an escalating crime problem that continues to present its citizens, more especially its youth, with tremendous challenges.

As crime rates continued to soar and became a recognised threat to development and growth within South Africa, the involvement of children and young people in the commission of crime captured the attention of the national government, the media, and the public.

In response to this and in keeping with Mr Nelson Mandela’s vision of a better future for our children that he shared in his opening statement to Parliament in 1994, NICRO’s Diversion and Youth Development Programme has forged ahead, seeking and implementing innovative solutions to address the tragic and complex matter of children and juveniles involved in crime.

NICRO’s Diversion and Youth Development Programme, grounded in a restorative justice framework, is geared towards channelling juvenile offenders away from the criminal justice system into developmental and therapeutic programmes that offer them significant opportunities to take responsibility for their behaviour, repair the damage they have caused and become productive, responsible and law abiding citizens.

The past twelve months will be remembered as a productive and good year for the Diversion and Youth Development Programme, in which many of its programmatic goals were attained, including direct services having been rendered to some 20,528 youths countrywide. Through the skilful application of expert knowledge and experience, staff working with youth in conflict with the law succeeded in empowering young offenders and communities to rise above the effects of crime and seek a justice that teaches and heals.

The benefits derived from the attendance of a diversion programme are many and include achieving a sense of belonging, mastery and independence; the ability to develop a spirit of generosity, establish a positive relationship with a caring adult and resist negative peer pressure; the development of a healthy self-image and a healthy appreciation of one’s own worth. Participants invariably adopt a more positive approach to life and are motivated to succeed. Programme participants and their parents alike have recognised and acknowledged the impact of the intervention on their lives. Many have written to us and shared their insights:

Youth preparing their supper- Nietklamiet, Wellington

“I learned that you do not always fight to resolve problems.”

“I learned that when you get into conflicts you always have more than one choice.”

“This is a wonderful alternative. The quick follow-up and focus on restorative justice helped my child understand that ‘punishment’ is suited to the crime. Thank you for your help through a tough situation.”

“The programme made my child aware of how serious her actions were.”

“It kept my child out of court and helped her understand the impact what she did had on us and the community.”

“The facilitators set strict standards and had a frank discussion about the seriousness and legal consequences of my child’s behaviour.”

“It makes the young person responsible for his actions.”

“The programme offers a second chance to kids and forces them to account for their actions.”

The achievements of NICRO’s Diversion and Youth Development Programme are largely due to our diligent, dedicated staff whose passion and commitment have ensured the positive effects of this intervention on our young beneficiaries and the communities we serve. Of equal importance in achieving success is the significant role that our community partners have played as they continue to recognise this programme as a valuable asset to youth and communities alike.

We would also like to acknowledge and pay tribute to our partners within government and civil society as well as all our donors and various other international collaborators. We will continue to strive towards strengthening and adding value to these partnerships, each of which, in turn, strengthens the organisation and assists NICRO to realise its strategic objectives and render quality services to our clients and the communities we serve.

The year under review has also been a time of hard work and intense preparation in anticipation of the launch of our new comprehensive service delivery strategy towards the end of 2006. As a result, change has formed a significant component of the Diversion and Youth Development Programme as we developed new interventions, while simultaneously refreshing and fine-tuning existing programmatic responses. Our philosophy has been to embrace change as a unique opportunity through which we can meet the diverse needs of youths, families and communities affected by crime more effectively and a sure way of ensuring that our programmes continue to evolve as well-researched, best practice interventions.