With regard to the concentration on South Africa as a case-study, the scope of the study is, for the present, limited. Nethertheless, S.A. in its process of transition and social change can be seen as an example for global developments and phenomenons. The study could also be an approach to the problems and progress in the use and application of the JDL in further Member States. As a consequence of this research an analysis of the chances and problems of the current penal system in SA will be made. Therefore, as a practical tool, a training course on juvenile justice for prison personnel in South Africa will be developed with the view of setting up a comprehensive training system.
Child is internationally the appropriate term and in the South African Constitution it is also used.
However, during the survey in current South African prison practice children and juveniles were accommodated together, separated jointly from adult inmates. Therefore, the recommending and non-binding character of the JDL justifies the approach chosen in this research. The survey approach was chosen as an appropriate research method. Accommodation, clothing, hygienic conditions, food, discipline, medical and social service and educational programmes are addressed. The concrete everyday experience of the juveniles in a penal institution was subjected to a comprehensive enquiring.