Youth Offender Programs (From NICRO Diversionary Options Available in the Western Cape, 1994, P 13-28, L.M. Muntingh and R. Shapiro, eds. -- See NCJ-148753)

• NCJ Number: 148754
• Author(s): T van der Sandt; N Wessels
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders
• Sale Source: National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders
• Publication Type: Program Description (Demonstrative)
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa

Annotation

The Youth Offender Program was established as a joint effort by the South African Office of the Attorney General and the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of Offenders in an effort to divert youthful offenders from the juvenile justice system.

Abstract

The program is a 6-week life skills course which encourages the juvenile offender to behave within acceptable societal norms in order to prevent further involvement in criminal activities. Offenders accepted into the program are typically between the ages of 12 and 18; armed robbery, murder, and rape offenders are excluded from the program. While the program should ideally be used as a diversionary procedure, it can also be used as a precondition with a postponed or suspended sentence formally handed down through the court. The six weekly sessions cover topics including crime awareness, self-concept, assertiveness, decisionmaking, norms and laws, and parent-child relationships.