The role of civil society in policy implementation: A case study of the Centre for Criminal Justice (CCJ).

Abstract

This research focuses on the role of civil society in policy implementation, using a case study of the Centre for Criminal Justice (CCJ). Realising that resolving problems of twenty-first century requires synergy of many actors from different organisations and sectors, this study focussed particularly on the role of civil society in public policy implementation. The study briefly discusses the key concepts such as civil society and public policy implementation. Consideration was also given to civil society in South Africa before and after Apartheid, their roles and functions in public policy matters and their improvement in these matters compared to other sectors that is public and business sector. The objective of the study was to find out the role of CCJ in implementing issues of human rights in the justice system. The results of this study have revealed that CCJ plays an important role in implementing issues of human rights in the justice system. Among the findings, this research has observed that CCJ is involved in activities that address issues of human rights in the justice system. Some of the activities comprise of presentations, workshops and attending community forums. The study also examined CCJ's partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS). It shows how CCJ empowers its clients, bridges the gap between the community and SAPS, and plays a role in the dissemination of information. Despite facing challenges, mostly in terms of channels of communication and lack of responsiveness from CCJ's counterparts, which also originate from the informal kind of relationship between CCJ and its working partners, there is a strong working relation. This research was carried out using a qualitative approach in both data gathering (semi-structured interviews) and analysis (thematic). Out of the fifteen outreach centres of CCJ three were chosen and two police stations. This was done through purposive sampling.