I paid the debt I owed them, but they’re still not satisfied; now I am a branded man out in the cold.”
These words of singer Merle Haggard ring true for many ex-offenders when they try to reintegrate into society.
South Africa’s harsh “stigmatising shaming culture” perpetuates discrimination against ex-offenders when they are released from prison. It is this type of shaming that breaks down their self-respect and deprives them of opportunities to return productively to their communities. Many will go back to a life of crime, as is proved by the staggering statistics from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on recidivism (reoffending)*.
Dr Casper Lötter, conflict criminologist affiliated with the School of Philosophy at the North-West University (NWU), said during a recent interview on Radio 702’s Clement Manyathela Show that the key to the successful reintegration of former inmates into society is first to address underlying problems such as the harsh shaming culture. Communities must look at themselves and realise the important role they play in supporting and empowering parolees to thrive and start anew.
Marginalised even after debt to society is paid
“Parolees are marginalised even after they have completed their court-sanctioned punishment. This leads to hopelessness and a great amount of resentment.”
Casper says many criminologists argue that stigmas are counterproductive. The problem lies not so much with the parole system but rather with the conditions once inmates have been released. These are not encouraging and inevitably lead to a high percentage of recidivism.
“Irrespective of whatever rehabilitation programmes the DCS offers, the conditions outside prison play a pivotal role in encouraging or discouraging ex-offenders to make an effort to rehabilitate.”
Communities are usually up in arms when parolees reoffend, and some may call for harsher punishment. Casper believes these calls are also not the answer to scare parolees into not reoffending.
“We do not need deterrence but rather encouragement and support to help these people to take control of their lives. If they do not get the same respect and opportunities that are available to others, they will most certainly return to criminal ways.”
Going back to crime to survive
One of the biggest problems is the lack of employment opportunities. “Not being able to earn a living can easily prompt them to go back to crime to survive. Giving them access to training and new skills may help, but in the end, the problem remains the shaming culture.”
How will South Africa overcome this? Casper believes we should look to the East for inspiration. “Asian countries such as China and Japan use integrative shaming, which entails doing everything possible to resettle ex-offenders and reintegrate them into society.” His PhD thesis was devoted to uncovering what South Africa could learn from China’s integrative shaming culture and growing selected features of this culture in South Africa’s correctional system.
All societies across the spectrum manage deviance (such as crime) through shaming practices, but this need not be stigmatising shaming, as our task is to start supporting former inmates. He says a culture of integrative shaming and support will help most parolees leave the world of crime behind for good.
*Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola revealed that 555 crimes had been committed by parolees in the first quarter of 2022.
Dr Casper Lötter
