Demilitarization in the department of correctional services: an analysis of the issues and attitudes

The Department of Prison Services as it was known then, was militarized. Members at their employment were required to undergo a basic training course of nine months, which was later reduced to six months. They were also classified into ranks and were also wearing uniform. They were used to call each other by rank which signified hierarchy. These ranks were being used to enforce instructions and inculcate "discipline'· for both officers and prisoners. The seniors were only talking of commands but never consultation, which demanded complete obedience. Communication was only the top-down approach and there was a strict, and " iron'· discipline like in the army. The purpose of this study was to find out how they (functional members) felt about the demi litarization process, currently taking place and assess the impact of loss of their military ranks on their attitudes and performance at work. The study has examined the claim by some functional members which stated that. the reason why there was much confusion and chaos, especially in the prison was the result of the process of demilitarization. To also examine the claim that members on the other hand do not know how to address each other and prisoners saw members as worthless.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of the Western Cape

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Tile, Lungelo

Licence

• https://uwcscholar.uwc.ac.za/bitstreams/af3e3015-fd08-4c6b-8aef-b551537ef770/download