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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
CRJ402 – Comparative Criminal Justice
Unit 4 Assignment: South African Criminal Process
Due Date: 11:59 p.m. EST, Sunday of Unit 4.
Points: 100
Congratulations! Your expertise in comparative criminal justice has gotten you noticed by your
department, and they would like to share your knowledge! For this assignment, you are asked to
write an article for the monthly newsletter that sheds light on the South African criminal process and
experienced criminal aggression.
Here is what you have for your research so far:
Many correctional systems in democratic countries suffer from the problem of overcrowding.
South African prisons were overcrowded before 1994, but unfortunately, they have become
more overcrowded due to the country’s crime problem and the government’s decision to
establish a more get-tough policy on crime and offenders.
South Africa has the highest incarceration rate among countries in Africa and is ranked
fourteenth in the world. South Africa has one of the highest pretrial detention rates in Africa. As
previously mentioned, of the total prison population of more than 150,500, 45,700 had yet to
be sentenced, of which 44,710 were male and 990 female.
The issue of overcrowding has created several problems within correctional facilities. For
example, the ability to offer programs and teaching facilities has been reduced. Adequate
healthcare is largely lacking. It should also be noted that approximately 90 percent of the
natural deaths in a South African prison result from HIV/AIDS (Sarkin, 2008). Presently, about
43 percent of the inmates have tested positive for HIV.
In this assignment, reflect on the information above and continue to research to share information on
the following:
• What steps are involved in the South African criminal process that created this situation?
• Discuss criminal aggression and conditions in the South African criminal system.
• What are your thoughts on what could be done to make these conditions better?
© 2021 Post University, Waterbury, CT
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
• Your article should be at least two (2) pages in length using APA style formatting.
• Use at least two (2) scholarly resources and include reference citations in correct APA
formatting.
Be sure to read the criteria below by which your work will be evaluated before you write and
again after you write.
CRITERIA Deficient Needs Improvement Proficient Exemplary
(0-14 Points) (15-19 Points) (20-22 Points) (23-25 points)
Identify the steps
involved in the South
African criminal
process
Component is
minimally or not
addressed.
Component is
somewhat
addressed.
Component is
fairly well
addressed.
Component is
thoroughly
addressed.
Discuss criminal
aggression and
conditions in the
South African
criminal system
Component is
minimally or not
addressed.
Component is
somewhat
addressed.
Component is
fairly well
addressed.
Component is
thoroughly
addressed.
Thoughts on how to
better conditions
Component is
minimally or not
addressed.
Component is
somewhat
addressed.
Component is
fairly well
addressed.
Component is
thoroughly
addressed.
(0 points) (5 points)
Article Length Requirement not
met.
n/a n/a Requirement
met.
(0-5 points) (6-7 points) (8-9 points) (10 points)
Resources Requirement not
met.
n/a n/a Requirement
met.
Clear and
Professional Writing
and APA Format
Significant errors
impede
professional
presentation;
APA guidelines
are not
followed.
Some errors in
writing and/or
APA formatting
are beginning to
impede
professional
presentation.
Few errors in
writing and/or
APA formatting
that do not
impede
professional
presentation.
Writing and
format are clear,
professional,
APA compliant,
and error-free.
