Probation: its application in the Republic of South Africa under the Children's Act of 1960

• Main Author: Van den Berg, Petrus J H
• Other Authors: Batson, Edward
• Format: Doctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2016
• Subjects: Social Work
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17163

The present research study was in the first place undertaken to ascertain to what extent the probationers and their parents have complied with the requirements laid down by the Children's Court. A secondary objective was to obtain the views of probationers, their parents, and the supervising probation officers on this particular method of treatment. A questionnaire comprising 43 questions was drawn up. In order to complete the questionnaires in detail, it was necessary to study the case files of 110 probationers and to visit them, their parents, and their supervising probation officers. Several towns and cities of the Republic were included in the survey. It is hoped that the findings of this research will present a clear and informative picture of the results of probationary treatment as applied in South Africa since the passage of the 1960 Children's Act. Furthermore, the views of those directly concerned in the application of the probationary system may have much to contribute to the improvement of the system in order to achieve more lasting results. The opinions solicited from parents, probationers, and probation officers, will be discussed in the ensuing chapters.