Changing Narratives: Colonised Peoples, Criminology and Social Work

Abstract

There is growing recognition in criminology and social work of the importance of Indigenous knowledges and methodologies. Yet to date there have been limited attempts (particularly in criminology and criminal justice social work) to consider the theoretical and practice implications of Indigenous understandings and approaches to these disciplines. Both disciplines have also been slow to recognise the importance of understanding the way in which colonial effects are perpetuated through knowledge control, particularly in the operation of criminal justice systems. Our paper thus begins by examining the historical and institutional factors that have contributed to the continuing subjugation of Indigenous knowledges and methodologies. A discussion of the connections between the hegemony of Western science, the construction of race, and the colonial project follows. While herein Western and Indigenous approaches are conceptualised broadly, the dangers of over-simplifying these categories is also acknowledged. The paper proceeds by examining the distinctive character of each approach through a consideration of their ontological, epistemological, axiological, and methodological differences. Whilst acknowledging the considerable challenges which arise in any attempt to develop connections between these differing worldviews, a pathway forward for understanding both theoretically and methodologically the relationship between Western and Indigenous approaches is proposed.

Putting ‘Justice’ in Recovery Capital: Yarning about Hopes and Futures with Young People in Detention

“…Given Australia's colonial history and the resulting challenges that bring youth into contact with the law, there is a need to explore relational frameworks (Slade 2010; Burford, Braithwaite and Braithwaite 2019) that privilege the voices and knowledges of these youth and consider the broader aspects of their lives. Positive youth justice (PYJ) is an approach that argues against the punitive youth justice policies and practices that dominate Western approaches to crime (Cavadino and Dignan 2006;Cunneen and Rowe 2014;Dunkel 2014;Goddard and Myers 2017;Winterdyck 2014). Rather than prioritising the prevention of youth crime, the focus of PYJ is on developing six key areas for youth: health, work, education, communities, creative skillsets, and social networks and relationships (Butts, Bazemore and Meroe 2010).…”

Indigenous Peoples and Criminal Justice in Australia

“…There is growing recognition of the Eurocentric focus in criminological studies and the importance in moving towards a post-colonial or counter-colonial criminology (Agozino 2003;Cunneen and Rowe 2014;Cunneen and Tauri 2016;Deckert 2014). Historically, criminology as a discipline has not always raised questions or developed theoretical frameworks, which are necessarily fitting when applied to Indigenous criminal justice issues.…”

“…The work of radical and critical criminology changed the criminological gaze to include activities such as state crimes, genocide, and the forced removal of children from their families. However, some criminologists have raised concerns about the cultural 'baggage' of even the most 'critical' schools within criminology-including radical criminology and critical criminology-when applied to Indigenous issues (Blagg 2008;Cunneen and Rowe 2014;Carrington, Hogg, and Sozzo 2015;Cunneen and Tauri 2016;Porter 2016b).…”

An Appreciative Assessment of Prison Quality for Australian First Peoples of the Kimberley Region in Western Australia

“…In the context of research, yarning requires a relational collaboration between researchers and First Peoples participants in which the level of engagement is far greater than that required by traditional research methods. It is especially effective when conducting appreciative research as it encourages participants' own views and promotes empowerment by placing them at the forefront of the data (Bessarab & Ng'andu, 2010;Cunneen & Rowe, 2014;Leeson, Smith, & Rynne, 2016; Rynne & Cassematis, 2015).…”