The correctional official as an operational worker also functions as a manager (Bruyns, et al., 2015). The role of the correctional official is greatly challenging and broad. They are involved in security, guiding, mentoring, facilitating, developing and inspecting offenders. They help when offenders need assistance with jobs, or to get along with other offenders, to enter programmes, to interact with staff, or to obtain privileges (Hemmens & Stohr, 2005). In cases where offenders are feeling worthless and meaningless, it is the duty of correctional staff to make an important contribution to encouraging offenders to admit to the challenges that they are facing within the prison as a result of their incarceration, and to keep offenders busy with meaningful activities such as study, training, construction, reading and hobbies (Coetzee & Gericke, 1997).
Even though correctional staff are not counsellors, they must frequently communicate with offenders and carefully listen to their worries and problems. This will help offenders relieve stress and tension and will shape the line between custody and treatment personnel. Most offenders’ problems are solved by discussing issues with them (Seiter, 2002). The White Paper on Corrections (2005) stated that the services rendered by the DCS “are personnel intensive”, and “sound personnel practices are, therefore, promoted as a prerequisite to the rendering of professional services”.
According to Coetzee and Gericke (1997), the department believes that to accomplish policy, in terms of the White Paper, the following principles must be adhered to (Republic of South Africa, 1998, p. 19):
Correctional officials should always be non-partisan and perform professionally. Correctional officials must contribute to employee initiate, creativity and reliance.
148
The Department of Correctional Services should provide enough information, training and supervision required by the correctional officials to do their jobs in the most effective way.
There must be a good relationship between correctional staff and labour organisations established through successful communication and mutual respect.
All professional correctional staff should actively achieve goals and implement policies, plans and priorities of the department.
According to Seiter (2002), the correctional officials’ duties are no longer what they were in the past. They have gone far beyond merely guarding offenders; their duties now require knowledge, training, good interpersonal communications and sound decision making.
Coetzee and Gericke (1997) are of the opinion that in order for the DCS to be effective in the rehabilitation of the offender, it must value the professional character of its staff, such as knowledge, skills and attitude. Correctional officials will then be professional and deal with offender rehabilitation effectively as an internal role player.
(i) Knowledge
Professional correctional officials need knowledge in the following areas for the rehabilitation process to be successful (Coetzee & Gericke, 1997, p. 63):
Knowledge of the Department of Correctional Services in order for correctional staff to know the latest developments in the departmental vision and mission. This will enable staff to function effectively and professionally.
Knowledge of departmental policy and prescriptions as set out in the Correctional Services Act. This includes corporate, functional, operational and legislative policies. Knowledge of job content
Academic knowledge
Officials must be knowledgeable about offenders and see them as people and special beings. This can help the offenders to change their attitude and conduct since officials value them as unique and special beings.
149 (ii) Skills
Professional correctional personnel need to be equipped with all the necessary skills in order to be able to perform better and in a more professional manner, thereby making an important contribution to effectively rehabilitate offenders. It is very important for correctional personnel to have self-knowledge and communication skills, and to promote teamwork and dealing with conflict, etc., since they interact with people every day (Coetzee & Gericke, 1997).
Self-knowledge: The truth is that most correctional officials must know themselves, e.g. accept themselves, have a direct relationship between themselves and their self-concept and be able to be with other people. Offenders will then follow their example and improve their own self-image (Coetzee & Gericke, 1997).
Communication: This needs to take place with colleagues, seniors, subordinates and the public, as well as offenders (Coetzee & Gericke, 1997). When correctional officials communicate with offenders in a polite and respectful manner, this can have a positive impact on the offenders‟ anxiety and encourages discussion about offender apprehension or grievances, thus contributing to an effective rehabilitation process (Seiter, 2002).
Promoting teamwork: The team approach is very important in terms of problem- solving. One of the advantages of teamwork is that complex tasks that are too much for one correctional official to deal with are more controllable in teams.
Dealing with conflict: One of the unavoidable aspects of the correctional environment or personal relationship is dealing with conflict in situations where offenders continually try to make false statements about each other, tell lies and smuggle dagga. Correctional staff must try to deal with this conflict (Seiter, 2002).
Problem-solving and decision making: A correctional official’s ability to make decisions and solve problems is a significant life skill, and is almost certainly one of the most important professional skills that correctional officials must consider for them to participate in offender rehabilitation (Coetzee & Gericke, 1997). Decisions which are made at operational level are usually regarded as more important than decisions
150
which are made at top management level in the Department of Correctional Services. It is the responsibility of correctional staff to ensure that decisions, however minor, are carefully and impartially taken (Bruyns, et al., 2015).
Coping with stress: It is important for correctional officials to handle stress effectively. Correctional centres are high stress environments due to the nature of the work situation.
Educators: Correctional officials must act as educators; this does not mean, though, that correctional officials have to be formal educators. They can mainly be involved in the presentation of informal education. The role of a correctional official is just the same as that of an advisor or counsellor who presents knowledge, skills and abilities to colleagues and offenders (Bruyns, et al., 2015).
(iii) Attitude
Coetzee and Gericke (1997) point out that the attitude of the professional person distinguishes them from others. Attitude and behaviour relate to an ethical basis. Since different officials have different ethical standards, it is difficult to set clear guidelines for ethical correctional official behaviour. In order for the correctional official to be regarded as a professional, there are values and norms that they must pursue. These norms and values are also derived from what is regarded as correct, adequate and humane, and are reflected their attitude to work, which is also known as work ethic. According to Bruyn et al. (2015), the foundation of all management ethics is: treat others the way you would like them to treat you. This means that officials must treat offenders fairly.
A correctional official’s work attitude is based on the following values in terms of the rehabilitation of the offender: humanity, respect for human potential, relationships, partnerships and accountability. These values are based on the manner in which the officials conduct themselves. According to Coetzee & Gericke (1997, p. 71):
Humanity: Correctional officials must at all times respect offenders as people and recognise the human dignity of all offenders under all circumstances. They must try to be sensitive to offender’s needs and feelings, respect their point of view and must
151
promote offenders well-being, without undermining the most important function of safety and security.
Respect for human potential: In order to make an important contribution to the rehabilitation process of the offender, officials must at all times respect the human potential of offenders through their words and actions every day within the work environment. Officials must recognise that the offenders have the potential to become law-abiding citizens.
Relationship: The professional correctional official believes that sound human relations between staff form the basis to achieve departmental objectives. The decision of the correctional services can be attained through a work force that is committed to their profession and maintains meaningful and transparent relationships with their colleagues, the public and the offender case in their care.
Partnerships: For the department to achieve its mission and values, it is necessary for professional correctional officials to accept that the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience is important both nationally and internationally. Correctional services can survive through social, political and economic partnerships at local, provincial, national and international level. Therefore it is important for the department to have strong partnerships with other sectors in the rehabilitation of offenders.
Accountability: Professional correctional officials must be answerable for their actions. They must perform their duties in a transparent manner and they are authorised and responsible to perform tasks as stipulated by the Minister of Correctional Services and therefore they can be made to answer for the consequences of their actions. Wrongful action can thus result in an official and the department being held responsible for the unlawful act of the offenders.
For the correctional institution to be able to function effectively and therefore be able to successfully undertake the process of rehabilitation, professional behaviour is a prerequisite. The manner in which correctional officials conduct themselves contributes to the rehabilitative aspect. They perform this task not by trying to make friends with offenders or advising them about personal problems (Coetzee & Gericke, 1997).
152
The roles that officials perform with regard to the offender rehabilitation process, irrespective of whether they are counsellors or treatment specialists, are as follows (Seiter, 2002: p. 383):
Contributing to surroundings of control without threats and tension: A pleasant personality, a fair and important upholding of prison roles, respect for individual dignity, and an understanding of correctional officials‟ role in the rehabilitation of an offender contribute to a relaxed environment with positive interaction between staff and offender.
Communicating with inmates on a professional basis: Communication with offenders has a major impact on the whole prison environment. The manner in which officials communicate with offenders can also contribute towards offender rehabilitation, as it sets the tone in the environment. Attitudes can create hostility, poor or good communication between staff and offenders.
Focusing on providing human services: There must be an overall environment of respect for offenders as individuals for a prison to maintain order and control, as well as to have effective rehabilitation programmes. As part of humane treatment, officials must at all times meet offenders‟ needs. By providing the necessary services to the offenders, offenders will focus more on their rehabilitation programmes.