ACJR engages in high quality legal and empirical research, advocacy and empowerment which supports criminal justice reform in Africa. ACJR is a project of the Dullah Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape.
Latest News
  • The Final Cape Declaration Adopted by Consensus - Decriminalising Poverty and Status [27 and 29 September 2022]
    Cape Declaration on Decriminalising Poverty and Status, adopted by consensus by ... Cape Declaration on Decriminalising Poverty and Status, adopted by consensus by the participants of the convening of the Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status held in Stellenbosch, South Africa between 27 and 29 September 2022.
    Feb 09, 2023
  • Newspaper Article: ‘Leap’ patrols appear to make a difference | By Jean Redpath
    Officers of Western Cape’s anticrime programme work closely with police and th ... Officers of Western Cape’s anticrime programme work closely with police and they often have joint operations
    Sep 19, 2022
  • New Report: Overview and key findings COVID-19 restrictions and the impact on criminal justice and human rights (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa & Zambia)
    By L Muntingh, J Mangwanda, K Petersen, T Lorizzo and V Petrovic ... By L Muntingh, J Mangwanda, K Petersen, T Lorizzo and V Petrovic
    Jul 28, 2022
  • ISSUE PAPERS: Key issues in the NPA - Are we understanding the problem correctly?
    In a series of five Issue Papers, Lukas Muntingh and Jean Redpath take a few ste ... In a series of five Issue Papers, Lukas Muntingh and Jean Redpath take a few steps back and ask whether we are indeed problematising the correct issues and, if so, are we problematising the issue in a manner that will restore trust and thus legitimacy in the NPA. From this position we can also examine our current and future expectations of the NPA.
    Mar 18, 2022
  • The Detention Justice Forum responds to findings of solitary confinement in SA prisons
    The Detention Justice Forum (DJF) released a statement in response to the findin ... The Detention Justice Forum (DJF) released a statement in response to the findings of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Service on solitary confinement in South African prisons.
    Jan 19, 2022
  • ACJR Publications
  • [Report] An assessment of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in South Africa
    After signing the Optional Protocol to UNCAT (OPCAT) in 2006 and ratifying it in ... After signing the Optional Protocol to UNCAT (OPCAT) in 2006 and ratifying it in March 2019, South Africa designated a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), with the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) being the coordinating structure. Since ratification in March 2019, it appears that to date, the NPM has not been fully functional and institutional arrangements for visiting places of detention under the banner of the NPM remain unclear. There is also uncertainty as to how the constituent parts of the NPM will fulfil the responsibilities under OPCAT. In view of the above, the members of the Detention Justice Forum (DJF) agreed to assess the operational functionality of the NPM in the respective sectors of the DJF member organisations. This also provided an opportunity to identify issues for clarification on the NPM’s mandate and its relations with other components as well as government departments responsible for places where people are or may be deprived of their liberty. This report provides the findings of the assessment performed amongst members of the Detention Justice Forum (DJF) based off a questionnaire that was developed. This report was prepared by K Petersen & J Mangwanda, December 2022
    Apr 11, 2023
  • Presentation: Decriminalization of Petty Offences - Kenya: Julie Wayua Matheka- Nyaga (ICJ-Kenya)
    This presentation was made at a webinar on Sub-national Government and the Crimi ... This presentation was made at a webinar on Sub-national Government and the Criminalisation of Poverty & Status: Defining the problem, 4 April 2023
    Apr 04, 2023
  • Presentation: Criminalisation of Poverty and Status – Malawi: Ruth Kaima (CHREAA)
    This presentation was made at a webinar on Sub-national Government and the Crimi ... This presentation was made at a webinar on Sub-national Government and the Criminalisation of Poverty & Status: Defining the problem, 4 April 2023
    Apr 04, 2023
  • Presentation: Sub-National Governance and Criminalisation of Poverty – Nigeria: Rommy Mom (Lawyers Alert)
    This presentation was made at a webinar on Sub-national Government and the Crimi ... This presentation was made at a webinar on Sub-national Government and the Criminalisation of Poverty & Status: Defining the problem, 4 April 2023
    Apr 04, 2023
  • Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors | Survey Analysis
    This report provides an analysis of a survey of Magistrates' perceptions of pros ... This report provides an analysis of a survey of Magistrates' perceptions of prosecutors conducted in 2022. Prepared by Michael O’Donovan with Jean Redpath
    Feb 22, 2023
  • Presentation: Prosecutors Matter - Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors
    This presentation was made at a webinar on Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecu ... This presentation was made at a webinar on Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors: Survey Analysis, 22 February 2023
    Feb 22, 2023
  • Events
  • [RESCHEDULED] Webinar on The Numbers Gang in South African Correctional Facilities: Reflections on Structures, Functions and Culture, 25 April 2023
    Please note that this webinar has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances ... Please note that this webinar has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. A new date will be communicated in due course.
    Apr 11, 2023
  • Webinar: Sub-national Government and the Criminalisation of Poverty & Status: Defining the problem, 4 April 2023
    ACJR hereby cordially invites you to the first of a series of webinars on sub-na ... ACJR hereby cordially invites you to the first of a series of webinars on sub-national governance and the criminalisation of poverty and status.
    Mar 27, 2023
  • Webinar: Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors: Survey Analysis, 22 February 2023
    What do magistrates think about prosecutors? ACJR’s work on the National Pros ... What do magistrates think about prosecutors? ACJR’s work on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has included attempts at measuring perceptions of stakeholders, particularly those with direct experience of the prosecution.
    Feb 16, 2023
  • Multimedia
    ACJR on Twitter
    ACJReform : RT @UWC_DOI: [ANNOUNCEMENT - NEW DATE] The webinar on The Numbers Gang in South African Correctional Facilities: Reflections on Structures,…
    Apr 19, 2023 03:06 PM
    ACJReform : RT @UWC_DOI: [ANNOUNCEMENT] Please note that this webinar has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. A new date will be communica…
    Apr 14, 2023 06:25 PM
    ACJReform : See @ACJReform @REFORMAR3's statement on concerns regarding changes to child begging laws in Guinea-Bissau.… https://t.co/CHYPr4qbdM
    Mar 27, 2023 03:07 PM
    ACJReform : RT @UWC_DOI: Join us at a webinar on ‘Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors: Survey Analysis’ @ACJReform 📅22 Feb 2023 ⏲️10:00 am - 11:…
    Feb 20, 2023 01:47 PM
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