The NPA s role in Crime Prevention Group 2

The NPA’s role in Crime Prevention Group 2 30 March 2007 By Paulin Mbecke (CSIR) NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY Stakeholder Conference–March 2007 justice • freedom • security

Objectives and output of session OBJECTIVES • To explore how the NPA should contribute in Crime Prevention Initiatives • To discuss the approach to and the viability of Community Prosecution in South Africa NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security

Objectives and output of session OUTCOMES OF THE SESSION • The issues, concerns and root causes • The proposed Plan of Action • The salient outputs required by the NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security

Overview by project owner/presenter The owner gave an overview of the reasons why the NPA has decided to explore the role prosecutors could play in order to pro-actively deal with crime. • Prosecutions alone not helping NPA to achieve its objectives of reducing crime and increasing peoples’ feeling of safety and security. • In the transformation process prevention was identified as one of the outcomes of justice. • Community Court System and Restorative Justice as Crime Prevention Initiatives by NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security

Discussion Phase 1: Issues & Concerns • Involvement of social sector agencies in Crime Prevention • How successful are crimes prosecuted? • Prosecutors should understand what is happening at the ground level (be involved with the communities) • Education of stakeholders and sensitization of public on of the role of the prosecutors and the Community Court • Education of the prosecutors, e. g. justice outcomes. They don’t really understand the meaning of these outcomes and resources to use with regard to RJ, etc. • Migration – education of locals and foreigners about the expected behavior (lawfulness). People from outside contribute to crime and therefore must be part of crime prevention initiatives. The release of foreign perpetrators – some do not cross the borders, they come back • Community Prosecutors findings must be publicized NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security

Discussion Phase 1: Issues & Concerns (cont. ) • NPA must draw close to traditional leaders, police stations and all stakeholders at national provincial and local levels • NPA must engage in land issues and also look at political interference at local level (get politicians’ buy-in). Thus NPA must play a more central role in Crime Prevention • How do we incorporate all the stakeholders? • Reduce workload of prosecutors to enable them to be more actively involved in Crime Prevention at community level • Joint training of Crime Prevention Police Officers and Prosecutors • Service delivery is poor because of lack of resources • Capacity and resources must be provided to solve problems related to Crime Prevention and Community Courts. NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security

Discussion Phase 1: Issues & Concerns (cont. ) • Prosecutors should work closer to the communities to see what is happening on the ground and what are the problems within the different communities, seek solutions with all • Lack of demarcated areas, lot of dilapidated and unused buildings that are used by criminals – need for CPTED • Lack of integration of strategies. What is happening at national level, should be brought down to provincial and grass -route levels • Culpability of law-abiding citizens (e. g. Attitude of people and respect to others • Prosecutors need to be educated in other laws (social…) • Holiday courts also very important • NPA (Prosecutors) to work together with all stakeholders and communities to prevent crime. NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security

Discussion Phase 2: Diagnosis (root causes) • Lack of Education, Awareness and Communication Raising awareness Sensitizing communities Education of prosecutors/role players/public Communication with partners & communities NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security

Discussion Phase 2: Diagnosis (root causes) (cont. ) • Lack of collaboration amongst Partners Alignment of initiatives Social and psycho-social issues Environmental Design NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security

Discussion Phase 3 Question 2 – proposed solutions/actions 1. Education, Awareness and Communication • Better understanding of all role players’ strategies • Establish a joint steering committee on education, awareness and communication • Develop a communication strategy • Training of Prosecutors & all stakeholders on Crime Prevention Initiatives • Educate the public on the process of the Criminal Justice System and Crime Prevention initiatives • Promote the use of Customer Satisfaction Form (compulsory) NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security

Discussion Phase 3 Question 2 – proposed solutions/actions 2. Collaborating with Partners • Undertake a Community Profile – Who are the role players and what are their resources – What Crime Prevention programs and projects role players are involved in (e. g. life skills, RJ processes…) • Establish local steering committee with representatives from all stakeholders under the leadership of the NPA – – Good information sharing systems (use Communication Strategy) Commitment and responsibility of representatives Proper mandate from organisations Recognition of complimentary roles of all role players • Agree on desired common outcomes & Intervention Plans • Understand what each expert / organization can contribute NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security

Thank You NPA S t a k e h o l d e r C o n f e r e n c e - M a r c h 2 0 0 7 justice • freedom • security