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Ahanang Correctional Services Project / Lindokuhle-Mjindi Project
AHANANG
(LET US BUILD EACH OTHER)
SANCA's National Directorate has received R1,9 million from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) for its projects and running costs. The two projects involved are the Integrated Approach to Prevention of Substance Abuse, Hiv/Aids and Domestic Violence, and the 'Ahanang' project, which means 'let us build each other'.
The Integrated Approach to Prevention of Substance Abuse, Hiv/Aids and Domestic Violence project is based in Barberton, Mpumalanga- Lindokuhle-Mjindi Project and aims to counter the prevalence of substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and violence against women, girls and youth, which in general is alarmingly high. Adolescents are particularly at risk of HIV/AIDS. The prevailing accessibility of psychoactive substances and the variety of physical, psychological and social changes adolescents are experiencing results in their need to experiment and could lead to violence and rape.
The 'Ahanang" project will target incarcerated youth in Youth Prisons throughout South Africa, especially "AWAITING TRIAL" and "PRE-RELEASE" sentenced prisoners as well as offenders sentenced for community corrections. Intervention programmes for un-sentenced prisoners are primarily focused at the level of physical care, safe custody and medical care.
"Alcohol and drug abuse is a huge problem which affects each and every citizen, company or organisation in one way or another. It is a contributing cause to many of the social problems in our society, including escalating crime, road accidents, the disintegration of families and social structures, abuse-related health problems, and many others," says Shamim Garda, National Executive Director.
"According to research conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council on sentenced prisoners 76% were engaged in either alcohol or drug abuse during the period of committing the crime for which they were sentenced. We believe that the awaiting trial group is a contained group with definite needs and we could "empower" them whether they are going to be sentenced or not. Our focus will be on behavior modification which could equip them to stay out of crime," adds Shamim.
SANCA programmes aim to promote capacity building so that communities concerned take over the ownership of the projects. Sustainability of the programme will be addressed as well as monitoring self-reliance of the participants.
"Thanks to the National Lottery for making this project possible for us. This is the first for SANCA in terms of working with a full intervention in the prison environment. We hope to make a difference to this isolated and forgotten population," concludes Shamim.
Ahanang' project
SANCA would like to target incarcerated youth in Youth Prisons throughout South Africa especially youth awaiting trial, sentenced youth serving their current sentences and sentenced youth in the pre-release stage as well as offenders sentenced for community corrections. In the past, the focus has primarily been on the sentenced prisoner. Intervention programmes for unsentenced prisoners are mainly focused at the level of physical care, safe custody and medical care. There has always been a void in service delivery with regard to both sentenced and unsentenced prisoners in the field of certain crucial social functioning needs areas. One of the major needs areas concerns alcohol and drug related dependency.
Our focus in this programme as it targets the youth at risk in the awaiting trial, sentenced and pre-release sentenced category, will be on behaviour modification which could equip them to avoid substance abuse, crime and HIV/AIDS, as well as social and anti-social problems.
A joint venture of this nature will have vital significance for offenders and society as a whole. We gratefully acknowledge the most excellent co-operation and assistance rendered by the National Commissioner and the staff of Correctional Services, and the Department of Social Development as well as the enthusiasm and generous support by individuals and societies in SANCA to operationalise this transformational SANCA venture.
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME
This is the first SANCA programme in prisons being undertaken in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
OVERALL GOAL
The overall goal of the project is to develop a conducive situation for incarcerated youth to change negative attitudes and behaviour towards living and maintaining a productive lifestyle among peer groups and society at large, and consequently promote the prevention of recidivism.
OBJECTIVES
Every objective will be addressed with a view on the role and influence of substance abuse:
- To equip incarcerated youth with basic understanding of the link between substance abuse and negative behaviour
- To link HIV/AIDS and substance abuse information to youth awaiting trial, sentenced and pre release offenders
- To equip the incarcerated youth both unsentenced and sentenced with life skills not to become victims of circumstances
- To give the incarcerated youth alternatives on constructive use of leisure time
- To offer skills transfer to DCS personnel
EVALUATION
Evaluation of the programme entails the following:
- Continuous group evaluation and out-come evaluation
- Follow up of programme participants
- The collaboration with all other state departments and NGO's
- Reduction in number of awaiting trial and sentenced prisoners
SUSTAINABILITY
Hand over to the Department of Correctional Services.
PRISONS TO BE TARGETED
| Gauteng |
LeeukopEmthonjeni*
Johannesburg *
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| Western Cape |
Brandvlei
Hawequa
Pollsmoor*
Drakenstein* |
| North West |
Rustenburg |
| Kwa Zulu Natal |
Durban- Westville*
Ekuseni |
| Free State |
Groenpunt
Kroonstad |
| Mpumalanga |
Barberton |
| Limpopo |
Thoyoyandou |
| Northern Cape |
Kimberley |
| Eastern Cape |
Cradock*
East London * |
* Prisons that will be targeted in 2003
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