1. Researcher: PC on Justice and Correctional Services
Case studies on Half-Way Houses in the Western Cape: Operations and challenges
16 November 2016 By
Mpho Mathabathe
Researcher: PC on Justice and Correctional Services

2. Purpose and outline
The purpose of this presentation is to share with the Committee the findings of the case study on Half-Way Houses in the Western Cape: Operations and Challenges
The presentation will firstly provide some definitions, followed by the methodology used for this study, background to half-way houses in South Africa, number of halfway house and budget allocation, the need for half-way house and their role, research findings and recommendations.

3. Definitions PAROLE Halfway House
A number of definitions are provided to describe what parole is. The DCS describe parole as “internationally accepted mechanism that allows for the conditional release of offenders from a correctional centre into the community prior to the expiration of their sentences of imprisonment, as imposed by a court of law”.
Halfway House
Again, DCS defines Halfway house as a community based residential facility for probationers and parolees without monitorable address or support system.

4. Methodology Aims and objectives of the study
How are these halfway houses operated?
What are the day to day activities of parolees in these Halfway houses?
What are the programmes provided for parolees in the Halfway houses?
What are the challenges experienced by residents of the houses?
What are the general challenges experienced in operating a Halfway house?
Research approach and design
An empirical study has been conducted in the form of interviews with operators of Halfway houses in the Western Cape

5. Methodology (Cont..) Demarcation of the study
Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used as the method of data collection
Two (2) organisations were interviewed
Beauty for Ashes: interview on 2 February 2016
Realistic: interview on 8 February 2016
Demarcation of the study
The study was only limited to halfway houses in the Western Cape

6. Background to Halfway Houses in SA
In her budget speech in 2011, then Minister of Correctional Services, Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula indicated that DCS would start with a pilot project for the establishment of Halfway houses in SA
Immediately after the announcement, the Department explored two options, to establish Halfway houses owned by DCS or to form partnership
Desktop research was conducted and experimental visits were undertaken to establish best practice in other countries.
DCS has therefore established partnerships with different NPOs to run Halfway houses in SA.
First Halfway house pilot was launched in February 2012 at Naturena JHB

7. Number of Halfway Houses and Budget Allocation
EC: 6
GP: 8
FS/NC: 7
LMN: 8
KZN: 7
Budget allocation
2012/13: R
2013/14: R
2014/15: R
2015/16: R

8. Why the need for Halfway houses?
Families of offenders live in impoverished circumstances with no extra resources to help them change their lives
Relationship between offenders and family is sometimes fraught with unresolved emotional issues
Reoffending rates among juveniles are extremely high. Halfway houses can assist in reducing potential for reoffending, and
Reoffending in Halfway houses is reported to be lower.

9. The Role of Halfway houses
It caters for parolees and probationers without support systems or monitorable addresses;
It enhances the process of successfully reintegrating parolees and probationers
It acts as a bridge between the correctional centre and the community for those who do not have support system
It can instil family values to parolees and probationers
It is a replacement of a family or a home within the community

10. Findings (Case study 1) Realistic Halfway house)
This house is based in Strandfontein and was established in 2013 by Mr Solomon Madikane
The house can accommodate a total of 8 residents. Male residents between the ages of 20 years with the oldest parolee being 54 years old
Since its establishment a total of 30 parolees have successfully passed through the house and not returned to crime since.
Typical day for parolees during the week
The activities of residents in the house is managed a roster system.
This includes waking up at 6am, shower, breakfast and work. After returning from work at 17:00 they have a group session to reflect on how they day was, what were the challenges experienced during the day and how can they be addressed

11. Findings (Case study 1) Realistic Halfway house (Cont.)
Typical day for paroles over weekend
On Saturday, residents take a walk to the beach for therapeutic session
On Sunday, residents normally attend church. Weekend are normally regarded as free days for parolees.
Programmes provided to parolees in the house
Yoga, life skills, restorative justice programme, training on manual work to teach them discipline, and therapeutic programmes.
Challenges experienced by residents of the house
the fear of family not accepting them back
The fear of family not trusting them
The fear of relapsing back into crime and drugs; and
Taking instructions from house parents

12. Findings (Case study 1) Realistic Halfway house (Cont..)
Challenges experienced by house parents
Behaviour of parolees in general
Resistance from parolees to take instructions
Parolees who want to test their authority
Parolees who want to manipulate the system.
How to address these challenges?
There is constant interaction between Realistic management and house parents to talk about these challenges and find ways of addressing them
House parents are also provided with training to address some of these challenges.

13. Findings (Case study 2) Beauty for Ashes
The house is situated in Observatory and was established in 2003 by Stephanie van Wyk.
The house can accommodate 5 residents but there were 7 parolees at the time of the study. The house accommodate female parolees only.
Since its establishment a total of 67 parolees have successfully passed through the house and most of which have not returned to crime.
A resident normally spends a period of 12 months at the house. Three of the women work part time while one is employed full time as a receptionist.
The Department of correctional services only started contributing the stipend in the past two years.
Typical day for parolees during the week
There is a roaster for residents of the house. Residents clean the house especially those who are not employed. Others go to work or attend computer classes and group sessions

14. Findings (Case study 2) Beauty for Ashes (Cont..)
Typical day for parolees over weekend
Saturday is normally free time while Sunday is a day for church.
In contrast to Realistic Halfway House, Beauty for Ashes allows children of residents to come visit them over the weekend
Programmes provided to parolees in the house
Personal health growth programme; diversity programmes;
Alcohol anonymous programme; computer courses; and
Individual courses depending on their qualifications such as ABET
Challenges experienced by residents of the house
Getting along with house parents
Accepting authority of house parents; and
Not being able to conform to restrictions.

15. Findings (Case study 2) Beauty for Ashes (Cont..)
Challenges experienced by house parents
Working 24 hours
Setting their own boundaries (not getting involved when they should not be involved)
Taking things personally when comments are made by parolees; and
Parolees coming back late in the evening smelling of alcohol.
How these challenges are addressed?
Beauty for Ashes encourage house parents not to involve themselves too much in conflict situations of parolees. They also need to keep themselves separate but in charge
there is regular training provided to house parents on managing conflict situations
House parents also have their own supervisor who assist them with their stress and debrief them when there is an incident.

16. General recommendations
More research to be conducted specifically on recidivism rate among those reintegrated through halfway houses. Residents that leave the facility should be tracked and data collected systematically on how many of them are successful with their lives and how many of them reoffend.
The Department of Correctional Services should prioritise the establishment of halfway houses in all management areas to facilitate the smooth reintegration of offenders into the community
The Department should stick to a system that pays a stipend per resident like the situation with the current PPP correctional facilities. This allows for consistency, efficiency and accountability

17. General recommendations
The community should be informed about the need and role of halfway houses in their communities
Families of the offender should also be informed about the role of halfway houses and how they could assist the parolee to adjust back into the family and community
Programmes provided in the halfway house should be informed by the need for such programmes. This means individualised plans should also be developed for each parolee in the halfway house
There is a need for standardised training to be developed and provided to house parents and standardised support system for house parents
More research needs to be conducted on the success or challenges of halfway houses in South Africa

18. End, Thank You