Brian Steels | Curtin University (original) (raw)
Papers by Brian Steels
Current Issues in Criminal Justice, Nov 1, 2008
The words 'restorative' and 'prison' seem somehow incompatible. Consequently, it ought to be ackn... more The words 'restorative' and 'prison' seem somehow incompatible. Consequently, it ought to be acknowledged that '[a]t one level there can be no such thing as a restorative prison' (Coyle 2001b:7). However, as Coyle (2001b:8) also notes, 'in the interests of prisoners, of prison staff and of civil society one has to set one's ambitions higher than that'. It is already acknowledged that the prison systems we have in the developed world fail to compel offenders to take responsibility for the harm they have caused, fail to recognise the importance of victims in the equation, and fail to demonstrate values inherent in civil society. Accordingly, this article explores the notion of the restorative prison and looks at ways in which restorative and therapeutic processes might work to establish a wholly restorative and therapeutic prison in Australia. That is, a prison whose regime is run entirely on restorative and therapeutic principles rather than a prison that might have established a therapeutic or restorative unit or a prison which runs therapeutic or restorative programs. As Liebmann (2007:250) suggests, 'it is not enough to have a single project to demonstrate "look how restorative we are"-rather a prison needs to look at all ways it can fulfil the values'.
Routledge eBooks, 2015
Critics of restorative justice claim that its popularity is based on 'humanistic sentiment... more Critics of restorative justice claim that its popularity is based on 'humanistic sentiment' and suggest that the process is incapable of achieving its aim of restoring victims and offenders. The current study sought to establish if restorative justice is capable of restoring victims and offenders in a meaningful manner, or if the process simply results in a superficial renovation of the impact of crime. Seventy-two victims and offenders participated in a community group conference model of restorative justice and were compared on outcome variables with a control group of victims and offenders who underwent a conventional court process. Results demonstrate that the process is capable of impacting upon variables associated with the criminal act. Furthenmore, it is argued that a reduction in offending behaviour and victimisation impact are realistic outcomes of the restorative justice processes. Finally, regression analysis indicated that victims were satisfied with the restorative justice process as a resutt oftheir greater participation rather than their satisfaction with reparation or restitution
Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, Jun 1, 2005
ABSTRACT Restorative justice seeks to‘restore’ specific featuresof offenders and victims attribut... more ABSTRACT Restorative justice seeks to‘restore’ specific featuresof offenders and victims attributable to the criminal act, however, critics of restorative justice claim that its popularity is based on ‘humanistic sentiment’ and suggest that the process is incapable of actually ‘restoring’ victims and offenders. The current study sought to establish if restorative justice is capable of restoring victims and offenders in a
This paper provides an outline of the processes and underpinning theoretical constructs involved ... more This paper provides an outline of the processes and underpinning theoretical constructs involved in a social research project conducted in Roebourne, WA. The author provides a brief history of how the research came about, and how various theories were applied among a grass roots, Aboriginal community level where there were continuous calls for broad socio-judicial and economic changes. The project draws attention to the localized social injustices, which prevail, adding to the difficulties of people who are regularly exposed to the police and court. The paper also examines the use of therapeutic and restorative justice processes working together to provide a challenging and engaging combination of judicial practices. Collectively, it is argued, that this combination enables the offender’s lifestyle to be examined and supported by the court and significant others, while working towards a community group conference with the victim and their supportive others. Reparation and restitutio...
Routledge eBooks, 2015
Critics of restorative justice claim that its popularity is based on 'humanistic sentiment... more Critics of restorative justice claim that its popularity is based on 'humanistic sentiment' and suggest that the process is incapable of achieving its aim of restoring victims and offenders. The current study sought to establish if restorative justice is capable of restoring victims and offenders in a meaningful manner, or if the process simply results in a superficial renovation of the impact of crime. Seventy-two victims and offenders participated in a community group conference model of restorative justice and were compared on outcome variables with a control group of victims and offenders who underwent a conventional court process. Results demonstrate that the process is capable of impacting upon variables associated with the criminal act. Furthenmore, it is argued that a reduction in offending behaviour and victimisation impact are realistic outcomes of the restorative justice processes. Finally, regression analysis indicated that victims were satisfied with the restorative justice process as a resutt oftheir greater participation rather than their satisfaction with reparation or restitution
This research remains in its embryonic stage as it attempts to produce a universal template for d... more This research remains in its embryonic stage as it attempts to produce a universal template for designing and implementing a wholly restorative justice and environmentally sustainable prison regime, shaped by restorative values and sustainable practices. The project will raise awareness through sustainable educational and transformational programmes,transforming the culture among residents,workers and visitors throughout the penal estate. These interconnected and interdependent values and practices remain mostly unexplored,suggesting a need for an increase in scientific literature across disciplines,communities and borders. Expected outcomes include a greater understanding of responsibility taking,procedural fairness and harm reduction within a sustainable prison― restoring prisoners,their environment and communities.
This study explores the experience of people who have been publicly declared guilty. It retells t... more This study explores the experience of people who have been publicly declared guilty. It retells the narratives of offenders from the point of arrest through to conviction and, where relevant, imprisonment and release. The experiences of close relatives are also explored and provide an important part of the thesis. These accounts are set against the institutional context of the criminal justice system and a systemic account of police, courts, prisons and community corrections is provided. The main aim of the study is to investigate and document the impact of the criminal justice process on offenders' sense of 'self'. At a theoretical level, the study is informed by symbolic interactionism, particularly the work of Erving Goffman. This enables the development of insights into issues such as loss, shame, humiliation and loss of self. The asymmetrical power relationship in which these feelings are engendered and maintained is emphasised. At the same time, the study records t...
For capacity building to be successful, communities need to have pertinent information readily av... more For capacity building to be successful, communities need to have pertinent information readily available to them, fair and just processes in which to participate and develop and clearly defined goals that benefit the common good. In his Social justice and native title report 2006: a community guide, Commissioner Tom Calma suggests that.
This paper has been developed from an article presented to a peer review. It describes the develo... more This paper has been developed from an article presented to a peer review. It describes the development and provision of a communitarian model of restorative and transformative justice within the Magistrates Court. The paper engages with the experiences of the two researchers as they developed, established, serviced and researched, over a two year period, the communitarian model within the structure of the Magistrate's court and the Department of Justice. Placed within the context of the prevailing adversarial court system, the model was trialled among serious and repeat adult offenders likely to face custodial sentences. The paper follows the researchers' path as they engage with various statutory bodies and community organisations. It also highlights their experiences of facilitating planning sessions and community group conferences. Finally, it throws light on the study's quantitative and qualitative data.
Asian Journal of Criminology, 2013
This paper had its genesis ten years ago in the authors
Handbook of Asian Criminology, 2012
Steels B and Goulding D Predator or Prey an Exploration of the Impact and Incidence of Sexual Assault in West Australian Prisons Centre For Social and Community Research Murdoch University Perth Western Australia, 2009
Ethnic and Racial Studies, 2015
This study explores the experience of people who have been publicly declared guilty. It retells t... more This study explores the experience of people who have been publicly declared guilty. It retells the narratives of offenders from the point of arrest through to conviction and, where relevant, imprisonment and release. The experiences of close relatives are also explored and provide an important part of the thesis. These accounts are set against the institutional context of the criminal justice system and a systemic account of police, courts, prisons and community corrections is provided. The main aim of the study is to investigate and document the impact of the criminal justice process on offenders' sense of 'self'.
Current Issues in Criminal Justice, Nov 1, 2008
The words 'restorative' and 'prison' seem somehow incompatible. Consequently, it ought to be ackn... more The words 'restorative' and 'prison' seem somehow incompatible. Consequently, it ought to be acknowledged that '[a]t one level there can be no such thing as a restorative prison' (Coyle 2001b:7). However, as Coyle (2001b:8) also notes, 'in the interests of prisoners, of prison staff and of civil society one has to set one's ambitions higher than that'. It is already acknowledged that the prison systems we have in the developed world fail to compel offenders to take responsibility for the harm they have caused, fail to recognise the importance of victims in the equation, and fail to demonstrate values inherent in civil society. Accordingly, this article explores the notion of the restorative prison and looks at ways in which restorative and therapeutic processes might work to establish a wholly restorative and therapeutic prison in Australia. That is, a prison whose regime is run entirely on restorative and therapeutic principles rather than a prison that might have established a therapeutic or restorative unit or a prison which runs therapeutic or restorative programs. As Liebmann (2007:250) suggests, 'it is not enough to have a single project to demonstrate "look how restorative we are"-rather a prison needs to look at all ways it can fulfil the values'.
Routledge eBooks, 2015
Critics of restorative justice claim that its popularity is based on 'humanistic sentiment... more Critics of restorative justice claim that its popularity is based on 'humanistic sentiment' and suggest that the process is incapable of achieving its aim of restoring victims and offenders. The current study sought to establish if restorative justice is capable of restoring victims and offenders in a meaningful manner, or if the process simply results in a superficial renovation of the impact of crime. Seventy-two victims and offenders participated in a community group conference model of restorative justice and were compared on outcome variables with a control group of victims and offenders who underwent a conventional court process. Results demonstrate that the process is capable of impacting upon variables associated with the criminal act. Furthenmore, it is argued that a reduction in offending behaviour and victimisation impact are realistic outcomes of the restorative justice processes. Finally, regression analysis indicated that victims were satisfied with the restorative justice process as a resutt oftheir greater participation rather than their satisfaction with reparation or restitution
Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, Jun 1, 2005
ABSTRACT Restorative justice seeks to‘restore’ specific featuresof offenders and victims attribut... more ABSTRACT Restorative justice seeks to‘restore’ specific featuresof offenders and victims attributable to the criminal act, however, critics of restorative justice claim that its popularity is based on ‘humanistic sentiment’ and suggest that the process is incapable of actually ‘restoring’ victims and offenders. The current study sought to establish if restorative justice is capable of restoring victims and offenders in a
This paper provides an outline of the processes and underpinning theoretical constructs involved ... more This paper provides an outline of the processes and underpinning theoretical constructs involved in a social research project conducted in Roebourne, WA. The author provides a brief history of how the research came about, and how various theories were applied among a grass roots, Aboriginal community level where there were continuous calls for broad socio-judicial and economic changes. The project draws attention to the localized social injustices, which prevail, adding to the difficulties of people who are regularly exposed to the police and court. The paper also examines the use of therapeutic and restorative justice processes working together to provide a challenging and engaging combination of judicial practices. Collectively, it is argued, that this combination enables the offender’s lifestyle to be examined and supported by the court and significant others, while working towards a community group conference with the victim and their supportive others. Reparation and restitutio...
Routledge eBooks, 2015
Critics of restorative justice claim that its popularity is based on 'humanistic sentiment... more Critics of restorative justice claim that its popularity is based on 'humanistic sentiment' and suggest that the process is incapable of achieving its aim of restoring victims and offenders. The current study sought to establish if restorative justice is capable of restoring victims and offenders in a meaningful manner, or if the process simply results in a superficial renovation of the impact of crime. Seventy-two victims and offenders participated in a community group conference model of restorative justice and were compared on outcome variables with a control group of victims and offenders who underwent a conventional court process. Results demonstrate that the process is capable of impacting upon variables associated with the criminal act. Furthenmore, it is argued that a reduction in offending behaviour and victimisation impact are realistic outcomes of the restorative justice processes. Finally, regression analysis indicated that victims were satisfied with the restorative justice process as a resutt oftheir greater participation rather than their satisfaction with reparation or restitution
This research remains in its embryonic stage as it attempts to produce a universal template for d... more This research remains in its embryonic stage as it attempts to produce a universal template for designing and implementing a wholly restorative justice and environmentally sustainable prison regime, shaped by restorative values and sustainable practices. The project will raise awareness through sustainable educational and transformational programmes,transforming the culture among residents,workers and visitors throughout the penal estate. These interconnected and interdependent values and practices remain mostly unexplored,suggesting a need for an increase in scientific literature across disciplines,communities and borders. Expected outcomes include a greater understanding of responsibility taking,procedural fairness and harm reduction within a sustainable prison― restoring prisoners,their environment and communities.
This study explores the experience of people who have been publicly declared guilty. It retells t... more This study explores the experience of people who have been publicly declared guilty. It retells the narratives of offenders from the point of arrest through to conviction and, where relevant, imprisonment and release. The experiences of close relatives are also explored and provide an important part of the thesis. These accounts are set against the institutional context of the criminal justice system and a systemic account of police, courts, prisons and community corrections is provided. The main aim of the study is to investigate and document the impact of the criminal justice process on offenders' sense of 'self'. At a theoretical level, the study is informed by symbolic interactionism, particularly the work of Erving Goffman. This enables the development of insights into issues such as loss, shame, humiliation and loss of self. The asymmetrical power relationship in which these feelings are engendered and maintained is emphasised. At the same time, the study records t...
For capacity building to be successful, communities need to have pertinent information readily av... more For capacity building to be successful, communities need to have pertinent information readily available to them, fair and just processes in which to participate and develop and clearly defined goals that benefit the common good. In his Social justice and native title report 2006: a community guide, Commissioner Tom Calma suggests that.
This paper has been developed from an article presented to a peer review. It describes the develo... more This paper has been developed from an article presented to a peer review. It describes the development and provision of a communitarian model of restorative and transformative justice within the Magistrates Court. The paper engages with the experiences of the two researchers as they developed, established, serviced and researched, over a two year period, the communitarian model within the structure of the Magistrate's court and the Department of Justice. Placed within the context of the prevailing adversarial court system, the model was trialled among serious and repeat adult offenders likely to face custodial sentences. The paper follows the researchers' path as they engage with various statutory bodies and community organisations. It also highlights their experiences of facilitating planning sessions and community group conferences. Finally, it throws light on the study's quantitative and qualitative data.
Asian Journal of Criminology, 2013
This paper had its genesis ten years ago in the authors
Handbook of Asian Criminology, 2012
Steels B and Goulding D Predator or Prey an Exploration of the Impact and Incidence of Sexual Assault in West Australian Prisons Centre For Social and Community Research Murdoch University Perth Western Australia, 2009
Ethnic and Racial Studies, 2015
This study explores the experience of people who have been publicly declared guilty. It retells t... more This study explores the experience of people who have been publicly declared guilty. It retells the narratives of offenders from the point of arrest through to conviction and, where relevant, imprisonment and release. The experiences of close relatives are also explored and provide an important part of the thesis. These accounts are set against the institutional context of the criminal justice system and a systemic account of police, courts, prisons and community corrections is provided. The main aim of the study is to investigate and document the impact of the criminal justice process on offenders' sense of 'self'.