Crime, Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System in Africa: A Psycho-Criminological Perspective

Foreword: Towards the Decolonisation of the Epistemic Violence of Psychology and Criminology
Contents
Notes on Editors and Contributors
Notes on Editors
Notes on Contributors
List of Tables
1: Introduction: Exploring Crime, Mental Health, and Criminal Justice in Africa from a Psycho-Criminological Perspective
	Introduction
	The Approach Adopted in this Book
	The Structure of the Book
	Exploring Crime, Mental Health Issues, and Criminal Justice in Africa from a Psycho-Criminological Perspective
	References
Part I: Deviance, Crime and Mental Health
	2: Suicide, Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour among African Youths: A Psycho-Social and Criminological Analysis
		Introduction
			Defining Suicide, Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour
			Incidence and Prevalence of Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour in Africa
		Theoretical Considerations
			Interpersonal Theory of Suicidal Behaviour
				Thwarted Belongingness
				Perceived Burdensomeness
				Acquired Capability for Suicide
			The Strain Theory of Suicide
			Durkheim’s Theory of Suicide
		Legal Status and Criminalisation of Suicide in Africa
			Assessing the Legal Status of Suicide in Africa
			Addressing Suicidal Behaviour among Youths: An African Imperative
		Conclusion
		References
	3: Perspectives on the Violent Nature of Crime Victimisation in South Africa
		Introduction
		Historical Context of Crime and Violence in South Africa
		The Nature and Extent of Violent Crime Experienced by South African Citizens
		Risk Factors of Criminal Victimisation and the Perpetration of Violence and Crime in South Africa
			Socio-economic Inequality
			Gender and Frustrated Masculinity
			Lack of Social Cohesion
			Alcohol and Firearms
		South Africans’ Perceptions and Experiences of Crime and Violence
			The “Blade Runner” Killer
			Cold-blooded Axe Family Murderer: The Van Breda Case
			Devil in Disguise: The Karabo Mokoena Murder
			Killer Husband: The Susan Rohde Case
		The Victims Behind South Africa’s Crime Statistics
		Conclusion
		References
	4: Hello Pretty, Hello Handsome!: Exploring the Menace of Online Dating and Romance Scam in Africa
		Introduction
		Concept of Online Dating and Romance Scam
			How Do Online Romance Scammers Operate?
		Analysis of Some Platforms for Online Dating and Romance
			Online Dating Process
		Menace of Online Dating and Romance Scam
		Mental Health Challenges of Online Dating and Romance Scam Victims
		Some Tricks of Online Dating Scammers
		Strategies for Curbing Online Dating and Romance Scam
		Suggestions to Increase Research Attention in This Area
		Need for Stronger Internet Security Regulations, Policy Formulation and Implementation in Africa
		Conclusion
		References
	5: An Exploratory Study on Kidnapping as an Emerging Crime in Nigeria
		Introduction
		Defining Kidnapping and the Psychological Aspects of the Crime
			Psychological Aspects of Kidnapping
			Theoretical Framework
		Brief History of Kidnapping in Nigeria and Other Countries
			Statistics and Incidents of Kidnapping in Nigeria
			Causes of Kidnapping in Nigeria
				Bad Governance
				Poverty
				Unemployment
				Socio-economic Deprivation
				Globalisation
		Response to Kidnapping and Lessons Learned
		Conclusion: Recommendations and Policy Implications
		References
			Cases
	6: An Overview of Serial Murder and its Investigation in South Africa
		Introduction
		Defining Serial Murder
		Serial Murder Myths
			Myth 1: Serial Murderers are all Dysfunctional Loners
			Myth 2: Serial Murderers are all White Males
			Myth 3: Serial Murderers are all Sexually Motivated
			Myth 4: All Serial Murderers Travel
			Myth 5: Serial Murderers will continue to Kill
			Myth 6: Serial Murderers are Insane or Evil Masterminds
			Myth 7: Serial Murderers want to Get Caught
		Does South Africa Have An Excessive Number of Serial Murderers?
			A South African Perspective on Serial Murders
			The SAPS Response to Serial Murder
		References
	7: The Constitutional Imperative, Common Law Position and Domestic Legislation in the Context of Mental Health Care Law in South Africa
		Introduction
			The Concept of Human Rights
		Section 10 of the Constitution: Human Dignity
			Human Dignity and the Use of Physical Restraints for and Seclusion of Mentally Disordered Patients
		Section 12(1) of the Constitution: Freedom and Security of the Person and Section 35: Arrested, Detained and Accused Persons
			Introductory Remarks
		The Regulation of State Patients and Mentally Ill Prisoners in Terms of the Mental Health Care Act
		Section 28 of the Constitution: The Protection of Children’s Rights
		Electroconvulsive Therapy
			Institutionalisation of the Mentally Disordered
		Conclusion
		References
	8: Suicide Attempt and “Social Suffering”: Disrupting Dangerous Binary Discourse and Fostering Kinship between the Mental Health and Legal Systems in Ghana
		Introduction
		Epidemiology and Patterns of Suicidal Behaviours
			Crisis or Crime?
		Criminalisation of Suicide Attempt: History, Current State, Arguments for and Against
			Views on the Anti-suicide Laws
			Dangerous Binary Discourses
		Social Suffering: An Alternative Perspective for Viewing and Addressing Suicide and Suicide Attempt in Ghana
			Fostering a Kinship between the Legal and Mental Health Systems in Suicide Prevention
		Conclusion
		References
	9: Issues of Competence, Experience and Psychological Awareness among Police who Prosecute Cases of Child Sexual Abuse in Ghana
		Introduction
		History and Current Function of Policing in Ghana
			Police Prosecutors in Ghana
		Theoretical Framework
		Challenges of Victims and Caregivers Seeking Justice
		Methods
			Research Design
			Study Setting, Participants and Participant Recruitment
			Ethics and Data Collection Procedure
			Data Analysis and Validation
		Findings
			Inadequate Legal Training
			Intimidating or Friendly?
			Cross Fire of Accusations
		Discussion
			Limitations and Suggestions for Future Research
		Conclusion and Recommendations
		References
			Statutes Referred To
	10: Mental Health of Prison Inmates in the Nigerian Criminal Justice System
		Introduction
		Policies Addressing Prisoner Mental Health in Nigeria
		Research on Prisoner Mental Health in Nigeria
		Prisoner Mental Health Services in Nigeria: Opportunities and Hindrances
			Opportunities
				Implementation of Necessary Legislation
				Professional Training and Recruitment of Staff
				Inter-Sectoral Collaboration
				Institution of Welfare Strategies
				Implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation Activities
			Threats
				Lack of Mental Health Professionals
				Lack of Formal Collaborative Networks and Partnerships
				Stigma, Discrimination and Poor Awareness
				Financial Constraints
				Poor Data Assessment and Inventory Systems
		Implications for Practice
		Conclusion
		References
Part II: The Police, Correctional and Legal System
	11: The Experiences of People Who Use Drugs and Their Encounters with the Police in Ghana
		Introduction
			Psychosocial Effects of Drug Use
			Drug Use and the Development of Criminal Behaviour
			Drug Policy, the Police and Interactions with PWUDs
		Methods
			Research Design
			Study Setting
			Participants and Sample Selection
			Ethical Issues and Data Collection Procedure
			Data Analysis
			Trustworthiness
		Findings
			Ecstasy
			Psychosocial Consequences of Drug Use
			Police Encounters
		Discussion
			How Drug Use Influence the Lives of PWUDs
			How Drug Use Leads to the Development of Criminal Behaviour
			The Police Encounters of PWUDs
			Limitations and Recommendations
		Conclusion
		References
	12: Evaluating the Predictors of Stress among Police Officers: A Current Psychosocial Analysis from Nigeria
		Introduction
		Policing and Sources of Stress in Nigeria: Towards an Empirical Analysis
		Method
			Data
			Measures
				Police Stress Questionnaire
				Effect of Stress on General Well-being
				Demographic and Control Variables
		Results
			Bivariate Correlation
			Multiple Regression
		Discussion
		Conclusion
		Appendix
		References
	13: A Study of Drug Use and Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Male Prisoners in Ghana
		Introduction
			Drug Use in Prison
			Drug Use in Prisons in Africa
			Age and Drug Use in Prison
			Robbery, Recidivism and Drug Use
			Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System
			Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System in Ghana
		Materials and Methods
			Study Setting, Population and Sample
			Data Collection Procedure
			Data Collection Measure
			Data Analysis
		Results
		Discussion
			Limitations and Recommendation
		Conclusion
		References
	14: Crossing the Social Boundary: Racial and Ethnic Representation of Black Female Offenders inside South African Institutions of Incarceration
		Introduction
		Historical Trajectories to Female Offeding in the African Context
		Black Women Incarcerated in Correctional Centres
		The Profile of the Incarcerated Black Women in South Africa
		Women’s Racial Identities
		Ethnic Representations of Women
		Women’s Employment Status and Education
		Engendering Correctional Policies and Systems
		Conclusion
		References
	15: Satisfied and Committed Prison Officers? A Qualitative Exploration of Job Satisfaction and Organisational Commitment among Prison Officers in Ghana
		Introduction
			Previous Research on Job Satisfaction and Organisational Commitment
		Situating the Ghana Penal System
		Methodology
		Findings
			Job Satisfaction
				Reformation
				Benefit-Finding or Personal Growth
				Helping Prisoners
				A Good Day
				Recognition and Praise for Work
				Pay and Benefits
				Job Dissatisfaction
			Organisational Commitment
				High Organisational Commitment
				Continuance/Calculative Commitment
				Normative Commitment
				Low Organisational Commitment
				Organisational Injustice
				Pay and Benefits
				Lack of Job Autonomy or Powerlessness
				Job Characteristics (Perceived Job Dangerousness, Work–Family Conflict and Public Image of Prison Service)
		Conclusion
		References
	16: Perceptions of the Police and Courts in Ghana
		Introduction
		The Justice System in Ghana: A Historical Overview
			Policing in Precolonial, Colonial and Postcolonial Ghana
			Judiciary in Precolonial Ghana
			Citizens’ Assessment of the Justice System
			Perceptions and Attitudes Towards the Justice System: The Ghanaian Context
		The Study
			Methodology: Sampling and Recruitment
			Demographics
			Data Collection
			Data Analysis
		Findings
			To Use or Not to Use: Deciding to Go to the Police or Court
			Experiences and Perceptions of the Police and Courts in Ghana
			Experience, Knowledge and Future Utilisation
			What Accounts for Citizens’ Perceptions?
			Cost
			Bribery and Corruption
			Time
			Expected Outcomes
			Effects of Social Relationships on Assessments of the Justice System
			Rigidity of Processes and Procedures
			Who Gets Justice?
		Conclusion
			Limitations of the Study
		References
	17: Conclusion
		The Emergence of an African Criminology
		Crime and Deviance in Africa
		Crime and Mental Health in Africa
		Criminal Justice Systems in Africa
		Crime, Mental Health and Criminal Justice Research Agenda
		References
Correction to: An Exploratory Study on Kidnapping as an Emerging Crime in Nigeria
Index