Programme for the Conference Return to main menu

A brief description of the main content of each topic – followed by a short Question & Answer  session

Networking – paving the way
We believe that the rehabilitation of offenders is the responsibility of the broader Body of Christ.  We network with those who desire to help us make an eternal change in offenders' lives,  thereby  contributing towards  building a South-Africa that will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord's glory.

Interchangeability of victim and offender roles
People often think of  ‘victims’ and ‘offenders’ as distinct groups of people with the offender bearing the full extent of culpability and the victim none. However, there is often a more complex dynamic operating in the relationship between victim and offender in a particular conflict or crime situation that has a bearing on how the event plays itself out, and on how the direct parties themselves and others understand the event. While we mainly look at individual victims and offenders, some of these dynamics also play out at a group level as well.  This has an impact on work with offenders and victims, and on violence prevention interventions more generally.

Face to face – Victim meets offender
This presentation will be made by restorative justice practitioners who function in correctional facilities as well as community contexts. Actual stories from their practice will be shared, with reference to international research about restorative justice

The Elder Son
Jesus Christ has given humanity a second chance to gain redemption, freedom from sin and condemnation. The second chance is not restricted to the spiritual – once saved, the Christian can start rebuilding his life and mending the relationships that sin destroyed. As those who have been given this opportunity, we are duty bound to create the conditions under which the same opportunity to rebuild, to mend and to regain self-respect and respect is given to others. That presents us with the challenge to persuade society to accept its responsibility to create second chances for reforming sinners (released detainees, divertees), not only existentially, but also in the ethical, religious and spiritual sphere

My 20 years in prison
A personal experince by someone who  has been incarcerated  for 20 years as to how the involvement of the outside  community has had an impact on his life.

Onesimus – You are special 
You have no right to reap if your footprints are not visible behind the plough. The seed that you have planted will reward your efforts with jubilation if you have given them the opportunity to do what they do best, that is to “grow and bear fruit”

Rehabilitation through Education
“Tell me and I might understand, show me and I might remember, involve me and I will never forget” (Chinese proverb).

Service Providers play a vital role
DCS cannot function on its own in this modern era. The involvement of service providers is crucial to ensure that we reach as many offenders as possible and we rehabilitate as many as possible to break the cycle of crime.
The acceptance of the community in the role they play in rehabilitating the offenders is important and this will facilitate the smooth reintegration of offenders in their respective communities

 Beyond Crime & Punishment    
Beyond the hurt and damage of crime there is transformation and healing Beyond guilt and punishment there is forgiveness and reconciliation
Beyond hopelessness and hostility there is joy and hope
Beyond loneliness and alienation there is love
Beyond imprisonment there is a future
Beyond selfishness there is generosity

South Africans in foreign prisons       
Fear of imprisonment where one cannot even understand the language spoken and with no family or legal represenation near is the reality.  Those who have returned have a story to tell how a small kindness got them through many dark days.

Soccer – kickstart to hope behind bars:
See how God is kicking light into the darkness through soccer. A holistic program is being passed onto prisoners who are passing a ball of hope onto their communities once released. Hope has been born!

Radio/TV programs by offenders for offenders
Today PBN is a multi-faceted media prison ministry and produces both radio and television programmes for offenders, by offenders. While currently only broadcasting in Pollsmoor, they have the facilities to broadcast to any prison in the world and are now looking to extend their broadcasts and skills development programmes into other Correctional Centres across the country.”