Research Articles

Fear of Covid-19, adjustment, and well-being of the incarcerated in South African correctional facilities

We are pleased to share a recently published article titled “Fear of Covid-19, adjustment, and well-being of the incarcerated in South African correctional facilities.”

This article is based on Dr Wandile’s postdoctoral study in the Department of Psychology. The study explored Covid-19 adjustment and well-being among incarcerated individuals, with a particular focus on experiences within Kgosi Mampuru II and Polokwane correctional centres.

Inside_Out Fear of Covid-19, adjustment, and well-being of the incarcerated in South.pdf

Psychological well-being and resilience experiences of educators teaching in juvenile correctional facilities: a scoping review

Education is widely acknowledged as a cornerstone of rehabilitation for incarcerated youth. However, less attention has been paid to the specific realities faced by the educators who deliver it. These educators often operate under intense stress, experiencing burnout and emotional exhaustion while managing the complex and multifaceted needs of their students. This scoping review seeks to examine and synthesize psychological well-being and resilience experiences of educators working within juvenile correctional facilities.

Please read the full Article for more information!

Inside_Out Correctional educators’ experiences of professional development in a South African prison school.pdf

Correctional educators’ experiences of professional development in a South African prison school

Dear Inside-Out Community

Please find attached the Inside-Out publication. This issue features reflections and insights from the Correctional Educators' Appreciation Day event, held at the Kgorong Building. The content captures the spirit of the day, highlighting the dedication and impact of our educators within the correctional system. We hope you find it both informative and inspiring.

In Healing from Perpetrator Trauma: The

Experiences of Juvenile Offenders Incarcerated for

Violent Offenses in South Africa

Since the late 1980s, research has highlighted the unique psychological, spiritual, moral, and interpersonal injuries experienced by perpetrators of violence. However, limited attention has been given to managing such trauma, particularly among offenders. This qualitative study explored protective experiences, activities, and behaviours used by juvenile offenders in two South African correctional centres to manage perpetrator trauma. Using semi-structured interviews with 10 participants, data were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis.

Please read the full Article for more information.

Mahlako et al. (2025).pdf

Jordaan & Cronje (2025).pdf

Psychometric Properties of the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI) in a South African Male Incarcerated Offender Sample

This study examined the psychometric properties of the coping strategy indicator (CSI) among incarcerated male offenders in South Africa. Using a cross-sectional design, 968 participants were recruited through non-probability convenience sampling and completed four measurement scales, namely the CSI, multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS), prison adjustment questionnaire (PAQ), and depression anxiety stress scale (DASS). Five factor models were investigated, namely (i) a unidimensional model, (ii) a correlated three factor model, (iii) a bifactor model with uncorrelated three dimensions, (iv) a correlated four factor model, and (v) a bifactor model with uncorrelated four dimensions. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a bifactor model with four dimensions showed the best fit. This finding suggests that incorporating a general factor along with four specific dimensions (i.e., problem-solving, seeking social support, avoidance withdrawal, avoidance distraction) most accurately reflects the multidimensional structure of coping strategies in this population. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients confirmed the internal consistency of the four factor model.

Please read the full Article for more information.

Perceived Social Support, Aggression, Age, and Repeat Offending as Predictors of Coping Amongst Male Maximum-Security Offenders

Incarcerated offenders must develop coping strategies to adapt

to the stressful correctional environment, where failure to cope

can harm mental and physical health. This study examined

perceived social support, aggression, age, and repeat offending

as predictors of coping among 418 adult male maximum-security South African offenders, using a quantitative, cross-sectional

correlational design.

Please read the full Article for more information.

Gwambe et al. (2025).pdf

Pretorius et al. (2025).pdf

Psychometric properties of the Prison Adjustment Questionnaire (PAQ) amongst South African male incarcerated offenders

Correctional adjustment is critical for rehabilitation, managing

behaviour and reducing conflicts within correctional environments.

Wright (1983) developed the Prison Adjustment Questionnaire

(PAQ) to assess correctional adjustment and incarceration

discomfort. This study investigated the psychometric properties,

validity, factor structure and reliability of the PAQ among South

African male incarcerated offenders. Systematic random sampling

was used to select 787 male incarcerated offenders from three

correctional centres

Please read the full Article for more information.

A phenomenological investigation into the role of a university degree in the reintegration of ex-offenders into the labour market

This paper examines the negative stereotypes faced by university-educated exoffenders as they seek professional employment. It emphasizes crucial yet often overlooked issues, such as harmful stereotypes and systemic barriers that lead to the marginalization of well-qualified ex-offenders in the South African labour market.

Please read the full Article for more information.

A Phenomenological Investigation into The Role of a University Degree in The Reintegration of Ex-Offenders into The Labour Market.pdf

Narratives of Hope in Hopelessness: Reasons for Pursuing ODL-Mediated Higher Education among Females Serving Life Sentences in South African Correctional Centres

Advocacy for compulsory education in South African correctional centres represents a proactive approach to dealing with recidivism and illiteracy. Education is a basic human right that the constitution (Republic of South Africa [RSA], 1996) protects unreservedly. Every constitution envisages that education should occur without leaving anyone behind. The United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development (https://www.ohchr.org/en/instrumentsmechanisms/instruments/declaration-right-development) emphasises the imperative for education to be accessible to marginalised demographics.

Please read the full Article for more information.

Inside-Out Narratives of Hope in Hopelessness Reasons for.pdf

Inside-Out_Ignored realities of formerly incarcerated university graduates.pdf

The Criminal Record as a Death Sentence: Unmasking the Ignored Realities of Formerly Incarcerated University Graduates on Professional Licencing Challenges

Recently it is increasingly common practice for universities and professional registration councils to probe into applicants’ criminal records as a precondition for admission. Using social constructionism, this qualitative study explored the experiences of six formerly incarcerated individuals previously sentenced to life imprisonment, who hold professional university degrees in Law, Education, Psychology and Social Work and investigated whether having a criminal record had any bearing when applying for professional registration.

Please read the full article for more information!

Effectiveness of Well-being Interventions Among Correctional Officers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Dear Inside-out Community

Please find attached an article recently published by Mr. Kenneth Owusu Ansah, one of our PhD students. This publication forms part of his doctoral research and offers valuable insights into the effectiveness of well-being interventions among correctional officers. Kenneth is currently in his first year of PhD studies, focusing on the development of a well-being intervention programme for correctional officials in Ghana and South Africa: A mixed-method study. He is supervised by Dr Wandile Tsabedze who is a team member in the Inside-out and Prof. Curwyn Mapaling from North-West University.

Please read the full article for more information!

Inside Out Efectiveness of Well‑being Interventions Among Correctional Officers.pdf

Exploring Female Psychology Students’ Volunteering Experiences at the Inside-Out Outside-In South African Corrections Interest Group

In the context of higher education, as propounded by the Community Engagement and Outreach Policy (Unisa, 2013), the University of South Africa (Unisa) academics are encouraged to involve students in In-Service Learning programmes, including those who may wish to volunteer their time to gain soft skills, experiential learning, and work-related skills. This study explored the volunteerism experiences of female Psychology students as part of Unisa’s “Inside-Out Outside-In” Corrections Interest Group. An exploratory, qualitative approach grounded in a phenomenological research design was incorporated into the study, and the standard ingroup identity model was used as the study’s theoretical framework.

Please read the full article for more information!

Exploring Female Psychology Students’ Volunteering Experiences at the.pdf

Inside_Out Exploring the instructional media usage and preference of offenders at the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre, South Africa.pdf

Exploring the instructional media usage and preference of offenders at the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre, South Africa

This study explored the instructional media used in the correctional school and during the rehabilitation programmes at the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre. The study also examined the instructional media preferences of offenders. Underpinned by the positivism paradigm, a quantitative approach was followed, and a cross-sectional survey design was used. he enumeration sampling technique was applied due to the small size of the population (n = 571). Data was collected from 402 participants who were sentenced offenders, thus yielding a response rate of 70.40%. A Kolb Learning Style Questionnaire was used to collect data and version 26.0.0 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was applied to analyse data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed as part of data analysis.

Please read the full article for more information!

Caught in the spider’s web: the collateral consequences of the criminal record on higher education, professional registration, and employment opportunities

Inside-out project team member, Dr Mbongiseni Mdakane and collaborators published the article, Caught in the spider’s web: the collateral consequences of the criminal record on higher education, professional registration, and employment opportunities in the open access journal, Research in Business & Social Science.

Please read the full report for more information!

Caught in the spider’s web the collateral consequences of the criminal record on higher education, professional registration, and employment opportunities.pdf

We’ve got a sisterhood_Parry.pdf

“We’ve got a sisterhood ”: Understanding personal and peer empowerment capabilities in the narratives of South African women furthering their education while incarcerated

The empowering efect of higher education in a carceral environment is recognised globally as the most efective rehabilitative tool for reducing reofence and promoting the reintegration of incarcerated individuals into society. While many researchers from the Global North have studied carceral education and accessibility, few of those studies have focused specifcally on incarcerated women’s access to higher education.

Please read the full report for more information!

Tomorrow Never Comes, But It [Education] Gives You Hope: Narratives of South African Women Completing Tertiary Education Online While Incarcerated

Higher education in the correctional environment is endorsed globally as the most effective tool for rehabilitation. Studies from the Global North have researched correctional education and its accessibility, but few of those have focused specifically on incarcerated women’s access to tertiary education online. Even fewer consider this topic within the context of the Global South. This study aimed to address that gap by providing a holistic perspective of South African women’s experiences of e-learning and distance higher education while incarcerated.

Please read the full report for more information!

IJEDE_1309_Parry_PDF+draft.pdf

Student Support for Incarcerated Females in an Open Distance eLearning Institution

In South Africa, higher education is a constitutionally enshrined basic human right and one of the cornerstones for accomplishing the ideals of offenders’ rehabilitation and preparation for life beyond bars. However, acquiring higher education whilst serving a sentence in a correctional centre is compounded by many institutional challenges especially towards incarcerated female students.

Student Support for Incarcerated Females in an Open Distance e-Learning Institution.pdf

Psychological well-being and resilience experiences of educators teaching in juvenile correctional facilities: a scoping review

Please read the full Article for more information!

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