Socio-Economic Challenges and the Impact of Unsuccessful Offender Rehabilitation on Recidivism: A Case Study in the Western Cape, South Africa

Chinyama, Maud

Socio-Economic Challenges and the Impact of Unsuccessful Offender Rehabilitation on Recidivism: A Case Study in the Western Cape, South Africa

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Social Development

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

Socio-economic challenges contribute hugely to unsuccessful offender rehabilitation, which leads to an increase in recidivism rates. The study has aimed to explore the socio-economic challenges causing ineffective offender rehabilitation in correctional settings, leading to an increase in recidivism in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The effects of unsuccessful offender rehabilitation was also explored. This qualitative study employed purposive sampling to select participants and conduct semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 12 participants working within criminal justice system organisations. A qualitative case study research design was used for this study. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that unemployment, corruption in correctional facilities, and understaffing in correctional facilities are the socio-economic factors affecting service delivery and leading to unsuccessful offender rehabilitation in correctional settings. Travel cost barriers to reintegration attendance, and lack of post-release housing and support were identified as challenges that hinder successful offender reintegration and increase recidivism. The study also revealed that the basic human rights of offenders as well as victims were violated due to a lack of victim-offender mediation and therapeutic services for victims. The study findings recommend that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) should provide pre-release reintegration support, basic needs support, and criminal record support for ex-offenders. The study also suggested that the DCS should partner with other stakeholders to improve the quality of prison programmes, monitor prison staff, and adhere to monitoring reports from the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS), as well as provide funding support for reintegration agencies. It is recommended that policymakers should equally promote the rights of both the offenders and victims during the rehabilitation and reintegration process. It is recommended that future research use comparative studies to include other provinces to gain different perspectives and experiences. A mixed method on the topic is recommended to develop a comprehensive understanding of the topic. It is recommended that future studies should include government stakeholders to provide a more comprehensive understanding of systematic challenges and to complement the insights obtained from NGOs.