Exploring Correctional Treatment Interventions for Young Male Offenders Who Committed Violent Crimes
Abstract
Ison Ndoro, Sibusisiwe Moyo, Nyasha Shambare, Fadzai Chekero and Walter Beta
The study explored correctional treatment interventions for young males who were incarcerated for violent offenses at Whawha Young Offenders prison in Gweru, Zimbabwe. It utilized a qualitative approach that enhanced the depth and understanding of intervention treatment used for the prisoners. The data was collected through the semi-structured interviews conducted with eight purposively sampled participants. Findings showed that the interventions being offered include assessment, counseling, psycho- social support, vocational skills training, academic, sports, and recreation, and moral and religious rehabilitation. The study highlighted that there is a need to enhance correctional treatment programs currently offered to inmates in order to improve the treatment outcomes and overall success of rehabilitation and reintegration of violent offenders. The findings from the study also showed that there is a lack of qualified professional staff and resources to carry out some correctional treatment interventions like risk assessment, counseling, psychotherapy, and psychosocial support. One can recommend that the institution should design specific treatment interventions to meet the criminogenic needs of various categories of offenders. Further research should focus on the effectiveness of these treatment interventions for young male violent offenders.