The Cape Town juvenile assessment centre and the transformation of the youth justice system

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Young People at Risk (IMC) undertook a comprehensive analysis of the Child and Youth Care system, including the Juvenile Justice system in South Africa and made recommendations for transformation thereof. Various transformation initiatives in the Child and Youth Care System stimulated the researcher's interest in the progress of the implementation of transformation policies. In particular the policies related to the Juvenile Justice system at the Cape Town Juvenile Justice Assessment Centre were of interest to the researcher. Services and legislation governing youth in conflict with the law was fragmented. New legislation was needed that incorporated national and international instruments to protect the rights of children and to regulate the juvenile justice system. Since the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Young People at Risk (IMC) in 1996, various documents, policies, discussion papers and draft legislation have been published. The aim of this study is to determine to what extent the recommendations in these various documents have been implemented at the Cape Town Juvenile Assessment Centre. The aim of the Cape Town Juvenile Assessment Centre is to assess all youth in conflict with the law in the magisterial district and, where possible, to divert the case away from the justice system. From the findings of the study it is clear that the Cape Town Juvenile Assessment Centre has progressed far on the continuum of implementing the transformation policies. The probation officers in particular had excellent insight into the transformation process and the implementation of practice principles. It was also clear that every effort was made to make services child and family centred. Diversion options are implemented where possible and detention of juveniles in prisons was reduced drastically. The Cape Town Juvenile Assessment Centre has good relationships with other role-players. Services are co-ordinated through a monthly co-ordination meeting, where role-players like the Departments of Social Services, Justice, South African Police Services and NICRO are represented. In summary, the Cape Town Juvenile Justice Assessment Centre has made commendable progress in implementing policy recommendations and policy related to the transformation of the juvenile justice system. There is, however, room for improvement, particularly with the after-hour assessments. Delegating decision-making powers to all prosecutors will streamline the diversion process. Diversion options for second- or third-time offenders should be developed. Furthermore, not enough support is given to youth in conflict with the law and their families in that very few of them are referred to welfare organisations for continued services.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Social Development

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Cowley, Denzil

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Graser, Roland

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6901

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/6901