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First Encounters : Young People’s Perceptions of Criminal Justice

Bolin, Anette ; Henry, Alastair LU and Sorbring, Emma (2024) In Young
Abstract

For young people, a first encounter with criminal justice can have lasting effects. While perceptions of equitable treatment can generate feelings of belongingness and acceptance, treatment perceived as unfair or prejudicial can generate experiences of dissonance and exclusion. However, little research has examined young people’s appraisals of justice system encounters. The purpose of the study was to examine perceptions of criminal justice among young people suspected of a first, non-serious offence. Using an intensive longitudinal design, young people suspected of criminal activity (n = 21) were interviewed during a justice process. Using subjective procedural justice as an analytical framework, a theory-driven thematic analysis was... (More)

For young people, a first encounter with criminal justice can have lasting effects. While perceptions of equitable treatment can generate feelings of belongingness and acceptance, treatment perceived as unfair or prejudicial can generate experiences of dissonance and exclusion. However, little research has examined young people’s appraisals of justice system encounters. The purpose of the study was to examine perceptions of criminal justice among young people suspected of a first, non-serious offence. Using an intensive longitudinal design, young people suspected of criminal activity (n = 21) were interviewed during a justice process. Using subjective procedural justice as an analytical framework, a theory-driven thematic analysis was conducted. Results revealed how the actions of crime-prevention professionals were mostly appraised as proportionate and beneficially intended. However, some participants reported negative encounters and lacking opportunities for agency. Findings are evaluated in relation to the long-term consequences of a first encounter with criminal justice.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
in press
subject
keywords
police, procedural justice, social work, young people’s perspectives, Youth justice
in
Young
publisher
SAGE Publications
external identifiers
  • scopus:85196644424
ISSN
1103-3088
DOI
10.1177/11033088241256634
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e6a54eab-ce37-4262-91eb-25b572b3e364
date added to LUP
2024-09-04 10:51:11
date last changed
2024-09-04 10:51:57
@article{e6a54eab-ce37-4262-91eb-25b572b3e364,
  abstract     = {{<p>For young people, a first encounter with criminal justice can have lasting effects. While perceptions of equitable treatment can generate feelings of belongingness and acceptance, treatment perceived as unfair or prejudicial can generate experiences of dissonance and exclusion. However, little research has examined young people’s appraisals of justice system encounters. The purpose of the study was to examine perceptions of criminal justice among young people suspected of a first, non-serious offence. Using an intensive longitudinal design, young people suspected of criminal activity (n = 21) were interviewed during a justice process. Using subjective procedural justice as an analytical framework, a theory-driven thematic analysis was conducted. Results revealed how the actions of crime-prevention professionals were mostly appraised as proportionate and beneficially intended. However, some participants reported negative encounters and lacking opportunities for agency. Findings are evaluated in relation to the long-term consequences of a first encounter with criminal justice.</p>}},
  author       = {{Bolin, Anette and Henry, Alastair and Sorbring, Emma}},
  issn         = {{1103-3088}},
  keywords     = {{police; procedural justice; social work; young people’s perspectives; Youth justice}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{SAGE Publications}},
  series       = {{Young}},
  title        = {{First Encounters : Young People’s Perceptions of Criminal Justice}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/11033088241256634}},
  doi          = {{10.1177/11033088241256634}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}