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Full-Text Articles in Criminology and Criminal Justice

"I Went From Being Held Captive To Captivity Again": How The Criminal Legal System Fails Black Women And Girl Survivors Of Sex Trafficking, Cassandra Mary Frances Gonzalez Sep 2022

"I Went From Being Held Captive To Captivity Again": How The Criminal Legal System Fails Black Women And Girl Survivors Of Sex Trafficking, Cassandra Mary Frances Gonzalez

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"Black women and girls are disproportionately arrested and incarcerated for prostitution and prostitution-related crimes while being sex trafficked. Despite laws and policies meant to discourage criminalization, Black women and girls are profiled and subjected to both interpersonal and state violence due to their victimization. This paper uses one-on-one interviews with thirteen survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation across the United States and their encounters with the criminal legal system and incarceration. Grounded in Black feminist criminology, this research analyzes the experiences of survivors as victims and as criminals. Narratives demonstrate that courts and social services were unprepared, and often unwilling, …


"Trying To Get Free": A Theoretical Centering Of Black Women's Post-Carceral Narratives Of Systemic Unfreedom, Geniece Crawford Mondé Sep 2022

"Trying To Get Free": A Theoretical Centering Of Black Women's Post-Carceral Narratives Of Systemic Unfreedom, Geniece Crawford Mondé

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"This article examines how Black justice involved mothers navigate the enduring unfreedom of post-imprisonment life. Drawing upon the analytical framework of Black Feminist Criminology (BFC), this paper argues that centering women’s narratives of unfreedom provides a context for understanding and critiquing systemic and structural oppression. Interviews with thirty-three Black formerly incarcerated mothers from two transitional organizations in New York and Massachusetts reveals how women a) Identify instances of structural oppression at the hands of the legal system and the labor market and b) Deploy individual responses that reframe their marginal status by subverting expectations of their roles as mothers and …


"I Literally Role With The Punches": Black And Latina Women Coping Through Parental Incarceration, Melissa E. Noel Mondé, Cherrell Green Sep 2022

"I Literally Role With The Punches": Black And Latina Women Coping Through Parental Incarceration, Melissa E. Noel Mondé, Cherrell Green

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

Racial and ethnic disparities within the criminal legal system have been shown to disproportionately impact Black and Latinx children. Parental incarceration is associated with emotional and psychological stresses for children, but these effects can extend beyond incarceration. Research suggests that parental incarceration is not a discrete event and problems during childhood can exacerbate throughout the life course. Yet, little is known on how challenges faced by parental incarceration transcend to adulthood. Further, an examination on the long-term effects of parental incarceration through the lens of race, ethnicity, and gender remains understudied. In order to address this gap, this study focused …


Do Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Strategies Deter Taggers? Voices From The Street, Arthur Vasquez, Nina Barbieri, John J. Rodriguez Sep 2022

Do Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Strategies Deter Taggers? Voices From The Street, Arthur Vasquez, Nina Barbieri, John J. Rodriguez

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) postulates that jurisdictions can deter crime and antisocial behavior via effective use and proper design of the physical environment. When a jurisdiction implements a CPTED strategy, it makes involvement in criminal behavior more difficult, thereby increasing the chance of being caught. Using interviews with 35 active juvenile street taggers from a large metropolitan area in Texas, this research explores whether implementing CPTED strategies deter offenders from engaging in criminal activity. Results suggest physical barriers, natural surveillance, access, and signage serve as deterrents during the target selection process."


Snitch. Snake. Mole. Books.: Examining Responses To “Insider/ Outsider” Researchers In Corrections, Talisa J. Carter, Chelsea Thomson Jun 2022

Snitch. Snake. Mole. Books.: Examining Responses To “Insider/ Outsider” Researchers In Corrections, Talisa J. Carter, Chelsea Thomson

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

Qualitative researchers face unique challenges when conducting original data collection within facilities of confinement. These challenges are shaped by a range of factors including the study’s research design, researcher identity, and organizational climate of the facility. Although the barriers of data collection in corrections are known, literature providing context, nuance, and recommendations for overcoming these obstacles is sparse, especially for qualitative fieldwork. This work addresses this gap by examining responses of correctional employees to observational research. During data collection, correctional staff called the primary author “snitch,” “snake,” “mole,” and “Books.” This paper investigates these labels and offers suggestions on how …


“Leave Your Pain Here”: An Illustration Of Therapeutic Jurisprudence Through The Remarks Of Judge Rosemarie Aquilla From The State Of Michigan V. Larry Nassar, Leah Kaylor, Terri L. Weaver, Katherine Kelton Jun 2022

“Leave Your Pain Here”: An Illustration Of Therapeutic Jurisprudence Through The Remarks Of Judge Rosemarie Aquilla From The State Of Michigan V. Larry Nassar, Leah Kaylor, Terri L. Weaver, Katherine Kelton

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

Dr. Lawrence Nassar was the national medical coordinator of the United States of America Gymnastics (USAG), gymnastics team physician/assistant professor at Michigan State University, and the USAG artistic team physician who sexually abused many young women and children under the guise of medical treatments. In an unprecedented legal event, Judge Aquilina allowed anyone who had been impacted by Nassar’s abuse to participate in the pre-sentencing phase by reading a victim impact statement. Judge Aqualina listened to 156 impacted speakers and responded with personalized messages. This paper will examine Judge Aquilina’s responses to the victim impact statements through the lens of …


Using A Trauma-Informed Practice Framework To Examine How South Australian Judges Respond To Trauma In The Lives Of Aboriginal Defendants, Katherine J. Mclachlan Jun 2022

Using A Trauma-Informed Practice Framework To Examine How South Australian Judges Respond To Trauma In The Lives Of Aboriginal Defendants, Katherine J. Mclachlan

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

This article uses a trauma-informed practice framework to examine how South Australian superior court judges acknowledge defendant trauma when sentencing Aboriginal defendants. Trauma-informed sentencing requires that judges realise the presence of trauma, recognise its relevance, respond in a way that is informed by trauma and act to avoid re-traumatisation. By analysing sentencing remarks of 42 defendants identified as Aboriginal, the presence of trauma-informed practice was explored, in terms of judicial decision-making, the sentencing process and the sanction imposed. While not holistic summaries of judges’ reasoning, sentencing remarks are intended to enable the parties and the community to understand sentencing logic. …


White Supremacy And The Future Of Liberal Democracy: The Case Of The Nordic Resistance Movement, Ida Oesteraas Jun 2022

White Supremacy And The Future Of Liberal Democracy: The Case Of The Nordic Resistance Movement, Ida Oesteraas

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

In 2015, the largest neo-Nazi organization in Scandinavia, The Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) registered as a political party and entered electoral politics in Sweden. Utilizing qualitative content analysis, the current work explores changes in NRM’s rhetoric from before the party entered politics in 2010 and five years later in 2018. Focus centers on NRM’s ideology, what or whom they frame as their threat, and their suggested solutions for constructed problems. Results show fascist rhetoric in both time periods. An argument is made that there is no actual moderation in NRM’s politics by liberal democracy. Rather, far-right extremism is a threat …


Defense, Disrespect, And #Deadly: A Qualitative Exploration Of Precursors To Youth Violence Informed Through Hospital-Based Violence Prevention Program Follow Up, Katherine B. Snyder, Ashley Raposo-Hadley, Charity Evans, Ashley Farrens, Jennifer Burt, Gaylene Armstrong, Julie Garman, Lindsey Wylie, Mark Foxall Jun 2022

Defense, Disrespect, And #Deadly: A Qualitative Exploration Of Precursors To Youth Violence Informed Through Hospital-Based Violence Prevention Program Follow Up, Katherine B. Snyder, Ashley Raposo-Hadley, Charity Evans, Ashley Farrens, Jennifer Burt, Gaylene Armstrong, Julie Garman, Lindsey Wylie, Mark Foxall

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

Success of youth violence intervention and prevention effects, particularly for gun violence, will be enhanced when efforts are appropriately informed by the antecedents and context of violence. Youth violence is guided by social and cultural norms that are shifting with the rise of technology. Bullying, gang violence, and self-directed violence is increasingly found to occur in the online space influencing peer groups across contexts. Through focus groups with youth at risk for violence and victimization, this study finds three themes emerge as common precursors to violence: defense of self or others, disrespect of self or family occurring in traditional community-based …


Struggling To Make Good: The Dilemmas Of Fatherhood For Formerly Incarcerated African-American Men, Francis Prior, Steven Farough Mar 2022

Struggling To Make Good: The Dilemmas Of Fatherhood For Formerly Incarcerated African-American Men, Francis Prior, Steven Farough

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

While some have argued that absent low socioeconomic status black fathers are to blame for urban crime and poverty, others have highlighted how mass incarceration disproportionately separates low socioeconomic status black fathers from their children. Less frequently heard and acknowledged in the public conversations about low socioeconomic status black fatherhood and mass incarceration are the voices of those same fathers who have been impacted by the system. How do formerly incarcerated black fathers view their role as fathers? Based on 30 interviews of formerly incarcerated black men recruited from a prisoner reentry organization in a large northeastern city in the …


“Goodbye, My Friencels”: An Analysis Of Incel Suicide Posts, Sarah E. Daly, Albina Laskovsov Mar 2022

“Goodbye, My Friencels”: An Analysis Of Incel Suicide Posts, Sarah E. Daly, Albina Laskovsov

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

While an increasing number of researchers, non-profit organizations, and law enforcement agencies have expressed growing concern about the relationship between involuntary celibates (i.e., incels) and violence, no research to date has examined the potential for suicide and self-harm among men who call themselves incels. This study examines suicide posts shared to incel sub-Reddits that were collected by u/IncelGraveyard (N=80). The posts reveal that the notes discuss six subordinate themes, including the method of their planned attempt, the ways they used the internet, the online incel community, failed alternatives and coping, the effects of their suicide on others, and the afterlife. …


Socialization Across The Three Stages Of The Correctional Services Of Canada's Correctional Officer Training Program: An Ethnographic Study, Rosemary Ricciardelli Mar 2022

Socialization Across The Three Stages Of The Correctional Services Of Canada's Correctional Officer Training Program: An Ethnographic Study, Rosemary Ricciardelli

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

The current ethnographic study reflects my participation in elements of the three stages of the correctional officer training program (CTP) offered by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). Unpacking my experience, I use Van Maanen and Schein (1977) theory of organizational socialization to analyze the formal and informal socialization processes inherent to the structure of the training academy. Thematic reflection on informal socialization processes reveal that the pressures tied to module content and testing reinforce values welcomed by CSC, such as organizational commitment, before the recruit’s arrival at the academy. Moreover, at the academy, where the emphasis remains on organizational …


Shame And Justice: Partners Of Individuals On Sex Offender Registries Encourage Policy Reform, Kristan N. Russell, Katie M. Snider, William P. Evans, Shawn C. Marsh Mar 2022

Shame And Justice: Partners Of Individuals On Sex Offender Registries Encourage Policy Reform, Kristan N. Russell, Katie M. Snider, William P. Evans, Shawn C. Marsh

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

Sex offense registration and notification (SORN) policies can contribute to stigma and negative consequences for partners of registered individuals. The present study utilized a self-report questionnaire to ask these partners what they would say to policymakers if given the opportunity. A thematic analysis of the responses revealed three themes which highlight the distinct issues related to registries, describe direct consequences experienced by the partners, and propose changes to existing policy. This study provides valuable insight into the experiences of a hard-to-reach population and can help generate critical discussion around the sweeping impacts SORN policies have on individuals they were not …


Social Supports For Community Corrections Clients: Risk Factors Or Protective Factors?, Lacey Schaefer, Gemma C. Williams, Tenille Ford Mar 2022

Social Supports For Community Corrections Clients: Risk Factors Or Protective Factors?, Lacey Schaefer, Gemma C. Williams, Tenille Ford

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

The significance of social supports throughout an individual’s life-course has been widely documented. However, there is ambiguity about whether social supports are likely to encourage or discourage reoffending. The current study qualitatively examines the kinds of support offered to a sample of probationers and parolees by their social support networks through a thematic analysis of transcripts gained from semi-structured interviews with 15 clients and 16 of their “PoPPs” (parents/partners/peers of probationers and parolees). Results indicate that there are several forms of support provided by correctional clients’ loved ones. These forms of support were well-received by the clients who considered them …


Justice In Hybrid-Democracy: Blood Feuds And Albania Post Communism, Isabella Mahan Jan 2022

Justice In Hybrid-Democracy: Blood Feuds And Albania Post Communism, Isabella Mahan

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

In 1991, Albania shifted from severe communist rule to a regime claiming to be democratic. However, to this day, Albania maintains undemocratic elements. This paper analyzes the impact of hybrid state capacity in the context of state-led justice and the implications for citizen compliance. Albanian culture possesses a deep history of reliance on Kanun and traditional justice in conjunction with the state's inconsistency and unreliability. It further establishes the disconnect between people and the state. Despite attempts to progress towards modernity, traditions of blood feuds reemerged with the movement away from communism. The failure to properly transition from authoritarianism to …


An Appetite For Crime: Case Studies Of Cannibalism And The Criminological Theories That Explain It, Eponine Romo Jan 2022

An Appetite For Crime: Case Studies Of Cannibalism And The Criminological Theories That Explain It, Eponine Romo

Undergraduate Honors Theses

One of the most important aspects of studying crime is identifying how and why certain crimes happen. There are several questions one should ask: Why did this event happen? What caused this to happen? How could it have been stopped? Criminologists use various theories to seek the answer to these questions regarding diverse types of crimes from petty crimes, such as stealing a pack of gum to major, violent crimes, such as cannibalism, the latter of which will be analyzed here. The goal is to prevent these crimes from happening in the future by identifying why they are happening now. …


Recreation And Realization: Reported Motivations Of Use Among Persons Who Consume Psychedelics In Non-Clinical Settings, Cindy Brooks Dollar Jul 2021

Recreation And Realization: Reported Motivations Of Use Among Persons Who Consume Psychedelics In Non-Clinical Settings, Cindy Brooks Dollar

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"Psychedelic research is said to be going through a renaissance with widespread public and political attention on psychedelics’ ability to clinically resolve various medicalized issues. The prevailing cultural narrative of psychedelics almost touts it as a panacea when used in regulated, clinical settings under the supervision of a trained guide. While clinical studies are certainly informative, it is important to recognize that most psychedelic use takes place in social settings, not clinical ones. This paper seeks to expand the narrative on psychedelic research by presenting in-depth interview data on a diverse sample of 30 persons who report using psychedelic substances …


Everyday Aesthetics, Space, And The Sensory: Fear Of Crime And Affect In Inner Sydney, Murray Lee, Jonathan Jackson, Justin R. Ellis Jul 2021

Everyday Aesthetics, Space, And The Sensory: Fear Of Crime And Affect In Inner Sydney, Murray Lee, Jonathan Jackson, Justin R. Ellis

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"In this paper we explore pre-conscious aesthetic and sensorial aspects of affect in fear of crime. Drawing on data from focus groups undertaken in inner Sydney, Australia, we link the sensory and aesthetic preconditions of fear of crime to its affective, behavioural and cognitive elements. We argue that fear is grounded in the structural, personal and inter-subjective components of individual’s lives and their interaction with physical and social environments, which then influence how individuals cognitively understand their own risks and react behaviourally to these emotional responses. By bringing alive the importance of environmental cues and the cultural and structural positions …


Conducting A Systematic Social Observation Of Body-Camera Footage: Methodological And Practical Insights, Vijay Chillar, Eric Piza, Victoria Sytsma Jul 2021

Conducting A Systematic Social Observation Of Body-Camera Footage: Methodological And Practical Insights, Vijay Chillar, Eric Piza, Victoria Sytsma

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"Increased use of video recording technologies such as drones, smartphones, CCTV, and body-worn cameras (BWCs), provides researchers with modes for observing human behavior in their natural settings. Although not originally intended for empirical inquiry, these data sources facilitate a video data analysis (VDA) framework used in the social sciences. BWCs represent an emerging technology within this framework, and BWC footage provides valuable insight into situational dynamics at play during various social phenomena. When combined with systematic social observation (SSO), researchers are well-equipped to unpack social phenomena in a manner that overcomes many challenges of traditional qualitative methodologies. This article incorporates …


“I’M Doing Everything Right All Over Again”: How Women Manage Exiting Street Prostitution Over Time, Nili Gesser, Corey Shdaimah Jul 2021

“I’M Doing Everything Right All Over Again”: How Women Manage Exiting Street Prostitution Over Time, Nili Gesser, Corey Shdaimah

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"Exiting the criminalized sale of sex, which we refer to as prostitution, is a complex, recursive process which has been rarely studied longitudinally. Using typical case sampling, we selected two respondents from a two-year ethnographic study of a courtaffiliated diversion program in Philadelphia who participated in a total of eight interviews. Saldaña’s (2009) seldom-used longitudinal coding method was applied to conduct a fine-grained analysis of participants’ perceptions of exiting prostitution over time, focusing on participants’ motivations and actions. Respondents managed expectations of others and themselves and their sense of self-worth within a context of changing relationships, structural opportunities, accomplishments and …


Indigenous Reintegrative Shaming: A Comparison Of Indigenous Legal Traditions Of Canada And Braithwaite's Theory Of Reintegrative Shaming, Emily Sinclair Jul 2021

Indigenous Reintegrative Shaming: A Comparison Of Indigenous Legal Traditions Of Canada And Braithwaite's Theory Of Reintegrative Shaming, Emily Sinclair

Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections

Upon the arrival of European settlers in Canada, Indigenous legal traditions have continuously been undermined as customary law with an insignificant role in crime prevention and sanctioning. This paper will argue that Indigenous legal traditions deserve a larger role in Indigenous self-governance as their customs demonstrate aspects of crucial crime prevention theories such as Braithwaite’s theory of reintegrative shaming. The interconnection between reintegrative shaming and Indigenous legal traditions pre-contact and post-contact demonstrate concepts of community socialization, informal sanctions and restorative practices that foster the wellbeing of the community, victims and offenders. As such, Braithwaite’s theory demonstrates the importance of each …


Editor's Introduction To Comments On The Crimcon Controversey, Scott Jacques Jun 2021

Editor's Introduction To Comments On The Crimcon Controversey, Scott Jacques

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

This piece introduces two comments and a rejoinder on the “CrimCon Controversy.” I learned of the controversy on Twitter, in early January 2021.


The Crimcon Controversy: An Essay Addressing Irb Approval, Informed Consent, And The Interpretation Of Results, Kevin Buckler, Eryn O'Neal Jun 2021

The Crimcon Controversy: An Essay Addressing Irb Approval, Informed Consent, And The Interpretation Of Results, Kevin Buckler, Eryn O'Neal

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"In “COVID-19 and academia: Considering the future of academic conferencing,” Reinhard, Stafford, and Payne (2021) present findings based on an analysis of video and audio-recorded CrimCon presentations. The study’s ethics are questionable. A concern is that the investigators did not seek the informed consent of participants. In this essay, we discuss the federal human subjects regulatory definition of “human subjects,” and explain how it substantiates our concern in light of the facts.1 Key among them is that a coinvestigator, Payne, was also on the board that organized the conference, the Criminology Consortium. As such, he was involved in the development …


A Test Of Leadership: Insight From Two Women From The Founding Crimcon Board, Joan Antunes, Breanna Boppre Jun 2021

A Test Of Leadership: Insight From Two Women From The Founding Crimcon Board, Joan Antunes, Breanna Boppre

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"We write this commentary as two former members of the founding Criminology Consortium (CrimCon) board. In this essay, we share our gendered experiences with respect to the board’s role in Reinhard, Stafford, and Payne’s (2021) article, “COVID- 19 and academia: Considering the future of academic conferencing.” The paper’s third author, Payne, was on the board with us, and remains on it as we write. We will discuss issues with the study process and conclusions. We wish to share our perspectives on the board to inform future leadership and efforts towards public scholarship within criminology."


Seeing The Vision And Moving Forward: The Future Of The Crimcon Conference From The New Board, Bobbie Ticknor, Jessica Warner, Carlos Rojas, Arelys Madero, Daniel Lytle Jun 2021

Seeing The Vision And Moving Forward: The Future Of The Crimcon Conference From The New Board, Bobbie Ticknor, Jessica Warner, Carlos Rojas, Arelys Madero, Daniel Lytle

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"The Criminology Consortium (CrimCon) was created during one of the worst international pandemics seen in modern history. A group of innovators keenly perceived the need to create a new way to disseminate knowledge in the field because many of our existing conferences and annual meetings were postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic. There was a major void felt in the field by the cancellation of our traditional face-to-face conferences. There are many advantages to attending and participating in conferences in our field. These annual meetings give academics, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers ways to communicate their research, learn about the …


Victim Impact: The Manson Murders And The Rise Of The Victims’ Rights Movement, Merrill W. Steeg May 2021

Victim Impact: The Manson Murders And The Rise Of The Victims’ Rights Movement, Merrill W. Steeg

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Improving Mandatory Firearms Training For Law Enforcement: An Autoethnographic Analysis Of Illinois Law Enforcement Training, Casey Lafrance May 2021

Improving Mandatory Firearms Training For Law Enforcement: An Autoethnographic Analysis Of Illinois Law Enforcement Training, Casey Lafrance

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"This study employs autoethnographic analysis of the author’s experiences in a mandatory police firearms training course in the United States. I first review relevant literature on firearms training as well as autoethnographic methodology. Afterward, I present my experiences and analyze them in the context of literature on police use of force, representative bureaucracy, and accountability. Based on this account, I offer suggestions for improving the course by integrating concepts from the literature on officer decision-making, community-police relations, and group dynamics. I conclude by recommending more course time be devoted to the decision to use force, rather than simple firearm proficiency."


Hate Exhaustion, Emotional Support, And Desistance From White Supremacist Groups, April Celeste Gould May 2021

Hate Exhaustion, Emotional Support, And Desistance From White Supremacist Groups, April Celeste Gould

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"This study examines how and why people join, participate in, and leave White supremacist terrorist (WST) groups. In-depth life history interviews and biographic timelines of former White supremacists in the United States and Canada were collected. Findings indicate that former members’ decisions to engage and desist from WST groups are greatly influenced by their experiences of emotional support—or lack thereof. Participants lacked emotional support prior to joining WST and the emotional support they received from group membership was toxic. Participants exited WST because they experienced hate exhaustion and were willing to sacrifice all or most of their emotional support to …


“She Is A Woman, She Is An Unbeliever—You Should Not Meet With Her”: An Ethnographic Account Of Accessing Sala, Kathrine Elmose Jørgensen, Henriette Frees Esholdt May 2021

“She Is A Woman, She Is An Unbeliever—You Should Not Meet With Her”: An Ethnographic Account Of Accessing Sala, Kathrine Elmose Jørgensen, Henriette Frees Esholdt

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"The Salafi-jihadist environment, which seeks to remain closed and clandestine, is extremely hard to access. Moreover, the milieu is gender segregated and hostile towards non-Muslims, even other Muslims who are not considered “real” Muslims. Depending on the researcher’s positionality this can either further complicate or facilitate accessing the milieu. Based on methodological experiences from ethnographic fieldwork (interviews and observations) in Denmark and Sweden, this article aims to unravel how researcher positionality influences different layers of access when investigating Salafi-jihadist environments. Acknowledging that gaining access is a continuous process throughout the entire research process, we specifically explore how our positions as …


“Can You Make It Out Alive?” Investigating Penal Imaginaries At Forts, Sanitaria, Asylums, And Segregated Schools, Linda Mussell, Kevin Walby, Justin Piché Apr 2021

“Can You Make It Out Alive?” Investigating Penal Imaginaries At Forts, Sanitaria, Asylums, And Segregated Schools, Linda Mussell, Kevin Walby, Justin Piché

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"We draw from literature on penal imaginaries to examine representations at fright nights and other staged cultural scenes from across Canada and the United States that reproduce justifications for imprisonment and punishment. Based on an analysis of online content and news coverage of fright nights organized at forts, sanitoria, psychiatric institutions/asylums, and segregated schools, we demonstrate that these displays mobilize stereotypes and shame to denigrate prisoners and naturalize imprisonment. Moreover, we show that these displays invoke health tropes concerning contagion to intensify fears regarding prisoners by portraying them as a threat to the social body, further rationalizing the existence of …