What Is Correctional Officer
A prison officer or corrections officer is a uniformed law enforcement official responsible for the custody, supervision, safety, and regulation of prisoners. They are responsible for the care, custody, and control of individuals who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to imprisonment.
Entry Requirements To Study Correctional Officer In South Africa
Admission requirement(s) and selection criteria:
• FOR APPLICANTS WHO OBTAINED A SENIOR CERTIFICATE BEFORE 2008:
Admission requirement(s):
Applicants who intend to enrol as full-time day-class students (applicants who are not
employed by the Department of Correctional Services): a Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification with English at Higher Grade (D symbol) or Standard Grade (C symbol)
and two other subjects at Higher Grade, one of which with a D symbol.
Applicants who are employed full-time by the Department of Correctional Services:
Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification.
Selection criteria:
Swedish formula (only for applicants who are not employed).
English, Mathematics and Physical Science:
HG SG Points
A 9
B A 8
C B 7
D C 6
E D 5
F E 4
F 3
All other subjects:
HG SG Points
A 7
B A 6
C B 5
D C 4
E D 3
F E 2
F 1
Maximum points that can be obtained: 48.
Applicants who score 24 or more points (for a maximum of six subjects) according to the
formula for academic merit, will be considered.
• FOR APPLICANTS WHO OBTAINED A NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE IN OR AFTER
Admission requirement(s):
A National Senior Certificate with a bachelor’s degree or a diploma endorsement, or an equivalent qualification, with an achievement level of at least 3 for English (home language or first additional language) and 3 for Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
Selection criteria:
To be considered for this qualification, applicants must have an Admission Point Score (APS)
of at least 20.
Assessment procedures:
No further assessment will be done. Applicants who achieve the minimum APS will be considered until the programme complement is full.
b. Minimum duration:
Three years.
c. Presentation:
Soshanguve South Campus (day classes).
Distance education with limited contact classes per subject per semester, at Cape Town or Durban service points.
d. Intake for the qualification:
January only.
e. Exclusion and readmission:
See Chapter 2 of Students’ Rules and Regulations.
f. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), equivalence and status:
See Chapter 30 of Students’ Rules and Regulations.
g. Subject credits:
Subject credits are shown in brackets after each subject.
Key to asterisks:
Information does not correspond to information in Report
Training
Basic training: is offered at the Department of Correctional Services’ two training colleges at Kroonstad and Zonderwater near Cullinan. After successful completion of the course, members are transferred to the various prisons in the country according to departmental needs and personal preference.
Career development: In-service training is offered to members and they are also encouraged to improve their qualifications in accordance with the Department’s needs. In order to assist personnel in this regard, interest-free loans and study leave are available. Study bursaries are also awarded annually for part-time and full-time study in the following fields:
Part-time study: BTech and N.Dip. Correctional Services Management – UNISA.
An N.Dip. in Policing is offered at VUT, BTech and MTech at UNISA
Full-time study: BA in Correctional Services Management at UZ. Other useful qualifications at various universities: BPharm, BSc (Computer Science), BA Social Work, and Masters degree in Psychology, Diploma in Nursing, N.Dip. Agriculture and N.Dip. Food Service Management.
Employer
– Different prison commands throughout South Africa.
Contact
Department of Correctional Services
Poynton’s Bldg
West Block
cor Church and Shubart Sts
P/Bag X136
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 307-2000
Fax: (012) 328-6149
Schools Offering Correctional Officer In South Africa
Diploma in Corrections Management- Unisa
NATIONAL DIPLOMA: CORRECTIONAL SERVICES- TUT
National Diploma of Arts in Correctional Studies- UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND
The Department of Correctional Services- DUT
Which subjects are required for correctional services In South Africa ?
Admission requirement(s):
A National Senior Certificate with a bachelor’s degree or a diploma endorsement, or an equivalent qualification, with an achievement level of at least 3 for English (home language or first additional language) and 3 for Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy.
What to study to become a correctional officer In South Africa ?
Ideally a correctional officer candidate should have completed his or her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, counseling or another field of behavioral sciences.
How long is correctional officer training in South Africa?
This comprises an initial eight weeks of classroom based training followed by a four week period of in-service training within a prison environment. A further two weeks of classroom-based training will be conducted prior to the end of the 12 month probationary period.
Where can I study correctional management in South Africa?
Colleges and Universities Offering Diploma in Corrections Management in South Africa
University of South Africa UNISA, Pretoria. -A National Senior Certificate (NSC) (Diploma endorsement) with at least 50% in the language of teaching and learning. or.
University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa. Admission requirements:
How many points are needed for correctional services In South Africa ?
20
To be considered for this qualification, applicants must have an Admission Point Score (APS) of at least 20. Assessment procedures: No further assessment will be done.
Is it easy to become a correctional officer In South Africa ?
The training is intensive and very demanding. It involves face-to-face program delivery, weapons training and survival training.
What training do correctional officers do In South Africa ?
Prior to employment at a correctional facility, Correctional Officers must successfully complete a 10 week full-time Primary Training course that equips officers with program delivery, weapons training and survival training.
How long does it take to study criminal justice at Unisa?
Time limits for this degree
A student registered for a 180-credit structured coursework master’s degree must complete the study programme within three years. A student may make application to the Registrar for one additional year of study.