CHALLENGES FACING EX-OFFENDERS WHEN REINTEGRATING INTO MAINSTREAM SOCIETY IN GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

Offender rehabilitation and reintegration have come to be embraced as a vital component of a comprehensive and holistic crime-fighting strategy. Despite this, research shows that upon release from prison, ex-offenders are faced with a myriad of challenges that weaken the possibility of reform and predispose ex-offenders to recidivism. Using primary data from a qualitative study, this paper discusses the challenges faced by ex-offenders when reintegrating into mainstream society in Gauteng, South Africa. The findings show that ex-offenders struggle to adjust because of broken family and community relationships, unemployment and lack of after-care services, among others factors.