Technologies of governance: The convergence of risk and discipline in an open custody facility for young offenders.

This paper expands current debates on governance within corrections by examining the relationship between rationales and technologies deployed in the governance of young female offenders. A detailed examination of formal corrections policies, policy manuals, and interviews with administrators and primary counsellors challenge the notion that there is a pre occupation with risk in contemporary penal practice and that risk rationales and technologies have displaced discipline as dominant strategies of governance. It is certainly true that the logic of risk is present in both discourse and practice and that their development has added a new dimension to the governing process. However, the extent to which risk practices have overtaken disciplinary strategies is less certain. Various heterogeneous elements need to be examined when attempting to understand the complexity of the governing process. While several studies show that risk rationales currently guide correctional practice, the technologies of governance are not homogenous in nature nor do they only reflect one rationale. An investigation of an open custody facility in Ontario reveals an uneasy coexistence of strategies of discipline, risk and responsibilization. These findings suggest that there is a need to reflect further on the relationship between governing rationales and technologies; on the inability of one set of rationales to dominate all aspects of correctional practices.Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2002 .B35. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 41-04, page: 0969. Adviser: Daniel O\u27Connor. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2002

“I Think It’s Re-Victimizing Victims Almost Every Time”: Police Perceptions of Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Violence

Criminal justice responses to sexual violence have long been critiqued for either failing or further victimizing complainants. The ways that police can be complicit in these shortcomings is well documented, but less is known about how police officers themselves identify and understand the barriers to justice within the criminal justice system. In this article, we use data from 70 semi-structured interviews and two focus groups with sex crime investigators to explore police interpretations of the obstacles to achieving justice in cases of sexual violence. Our findings demonstrate that the majority of officers are critical of the present criminal justice response to sexual violence and are doubtful of its ability to provide a semblance of justice to the majority of victims

Collaborative policing: networked responses to child victims of sex crimes

Background: In response to child victims of sex crimes, Canadian police agencies are required to work collaboratively with child victim oriented community organizations. Such collaborations involve the navigation of potentially competing objectives of partner agencies. Objective: In our research, we examine police interpretations of collaborative responses to child victims of sex crimes in order to assess the challenges and benefits of police and community partnerships. Participants and Setting: We conducted 52 semi-structured interviews and focus groups with police officers working on one of different ten police service organizations across Canada in order to unpack the joint responses of police and community partner agencies to child victims of sex crimes. Methods: We coded and analysed focus group and interview transcripts for emergent themes pertaining to police interpretations of their collaborations with governmental and non-governmental organizations when responding to child victims of sex crimes. In focusing on the management and sharing of information, the complexities and practicalities of joint responses to child sexual abuse are revealed. Conclusion: Collaborative tensions, such as differing mandates and blurred boundaries, were present in all participating policing agencies, but police working in and alongside CACs were more likely to recognize that the safety and best interest of children was a shared goal across partner agencies. Operating in successful partnership requires clearly demarcated roles and mutual understanding and respect between both police and partnerships agencies