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SOCIAL CRIME PREVENTION

The aim of this sub-programme is to provide holistic services to adults and children in trouble with the law, their families and communities. This is done through the provision of various services including assessments, pre-sentence reports, diversion programmes, supervision services and residential care for children awaiting trial.

Many of the services relating to this sub-programme are provided by the probation officers and assistant probation officers employed by the Department and stationed either at the magistrates courts or at the district offices. The Department also runs RAR centres (Reception, assessment and referral centres) in all four regions. At these centres children who have been arrested are assessed by probation officers and recommendations made to the court on the placement of these children.

Diversion programmes for children who have pleaded guilty to minor offences have been extended to the Newcastle area where they are provided by a private organization. At four courts in the Durban region, the probation officers have initiated victim-offender mediation programmes in line with the emphasis on restorative rather than retributive justice.

Secure care centres

Secure care centres are used to house children awaiting trial in order to minimise the detention of children in prisons while awaiting trial. At present the province uses the Excelsior Place of Safety as a secure care centre housing 74 boys. During the year under review, 970 boys were accommodated. The staff at Excelsior also provides a unit which provides services to boys and girls awaiting trial in Westville Prison. The conversion of half of the Valley View Place of Safety to a secure care centre for 60 boys began in the year under review and will be completed in the next financial year. Plans to convert an unused hostel at Newcastle School of Industries to a secure care centre for 30 children have been approved.

KZN Department of Social Welfare

Services for our Communities