This book explores practical examples of co-production in criminal
justice research and practice. Through a series of seven case studies,
the authors examine what people do when they co-produce knowledge in
criminal justice contexts: in prisons and youth detention centres; with
criminalised women; from practitioners' perspectives; and with First
Nations communities.
Co-production holds a promise: that people whose lives are entangled in
the criminal justice system can be valued as participants and partners,
helping to shape how the system works. But how realistic is it to
imagine criminal justice "service users" participating, partnering, and
sharing genuine decision-making power with those explicitly holding
power over them?
Taking a sophisticated yet accessible theoretical approach, the authors
consider issues of power, hierarchy, and different ways of knowing to
understand the perils and possibilities of co-production under the
shadow of "justice". In exploring these complexities, this book brings
cautious optimism to co-production partners and project leaders. The
book provides a foundational text for scholars and practitioners seeking
to apply co-production principles in their research and practice. With
stories from Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, the text will
appeal to the international community. For students of criminology and
social work, the book's critical insights will enhance their work in the
field.
