This thesis examines the place of rehabilitation and reintegration in the criminal justice system. The aim of the research was to ascertain whether current law, policy and practice are conducive to the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders and the reduction of recidivist offending.
As research shows that offenders who are able to obtain and retain employment are less likely to reoffend, the degree to which current measures facilitate ex-offender employment were examined in particular. In this context, barriers faced by ex-offenders in obtaining and retaining employment were examined. The research methodology is primarily qualitative, using both primary and secondary information sources, formal and informal. The research is also informed by a small scale survey of employer attitudes and direct observation by the writer of a community-based employment initiative. The research suggests that viewing criminal offending through a “human needs” lens, whereby offender behaviours are seen as directed at the meeting of fundamental needs, provides an appropriate means of understanding and addressing criminal offending. The research concludes that current criminal justice policy lacks the types of measures necessary to rehabilitate and reintegrate ex-offenders. Specifically, it is argued that there is need for “throughcare” (that is, continued support and assistance provided to ex-offenders upon sentence expiry) to be viewed as an integral part of the criminal justice system.