Innovative Justice.
Marshall, Daniel
INNOVATIVE JUSTICE
Hannah Graham and Rob White (2015) Oxon: Routledge. pp 170 (hbk)
85.00 [pounds sterling] ISBN 978-0415-63211-9
Innovative Justice provides a welcome addition to the field of
criminology and criminal justice. The global reshaping and restructuring
of criminal justice systems and agencies has increased acceptance of
social entrepreneurship and innovative justice 'making a positive
difference in the lives of offenders and those around them' (p. 1).
This timely book presents a number of innovative projects in criminal
justice from jurisdictions around the world. The authors take on quite a
challenge in doing this, as these innovative projects are subject to
(sometimes unpredictable) rapid changes from 'fiscal insecurity,
short-termism in funding and electoral cycles and politics of the
jurisdictions and social contexts in which they exist' (p.17).
There are also very challenging methodological issues with research of
this magnitude. The authors use an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) approach
which is an applied and collaborative method with an action-oriented
change focus, which is positive and strengths-based (p.13). The research
method itself is somewhat innovative, and the authors succeed in
delivering a ground-breaking and inspirational book.
Innovative Justice comprises eight chapters: Chapter one begins
with a critical overview of the paradoxes of justice in criminal justice
systems around the world, and it outlines the key concepts and
theoretical foundations of the book, notably theories of desistance. A
discussion of defining innovative justice follows with an overview of
the research methods adopted.
The innovations are presented in chapters two to seven through six
broad themes: (1) the arts: from prison-based initiatives teaching
skilled needlework to inmates in England and Wales to hand-crafted
products such as greeting cards and home furnishings in Bolivia; (2)
Skills-based initiatives: a number of vocational and educational prison
initiatives from the United States and the United Kingdom, that include
programmes teaching prisoners entrepreneurial skills or building
motorcycles, and workshops in shoe and watch repairs possibly leading to
employment post-release; (3) Greening justice: a number of initiatives
which 'provide in-depth insight into the human dimensions
associated with learning about, interacting with, and deriving benefit
from Nature' (p.54). Examples include a prison gardening and
horticultural initiative in Australia and a project in Papua New Guinea
teaching inmates and correctional officers the basics of fish farming;
(4) Animals and therapeutic justice: therapeutic benefits of including
animals in a variety of criminal justice contexts including prison-based
animal programmes in the United States, which deliver therapeutic,
rehabilitative and vocational projects with inmates, and a programme in
Israel providing dog training classes to prisoners with complex needs;
(5) Countering extremism: chapter six focuses on working with terrorist
and extremist offenders in Saudi Arabia and reducing hate crimes in
Northern Ireland. Although the authors acknowledge they 'are not
subject experts' (p.93), they provide a good discussion and
reflection of the innovations and ideas; (6) Community-based justice:
the Yellow Ribbon Project in Singapore raises public awareness and
community support for the reintegration of exoffenders from their
communities, and an initiative in Australia that trains prisoners to
volunteer as community sports umpires whilst serving prison sentences.
All empirical chapters are similarly structured, sharing common
sub-headings. The structure works very well and allows for continuity
throughout the book, which increases content accessibility. The
empirical chapters outline the 'Foundational concepts and
practices,' and each initiative is described under the heading
'Snapshots of innovation', with a review section,
'Understanding best practices' critically appraising the
initiatives' key lessons and learning points. Next, the section
'Questions and critical reflections' offers 'an
opportunity to encourage critical thought and reflexive
application' (p.18).
In chapter eight, the authors draw together the key themes, issues
and critical reflections of the book, highlighting the challenges and
positive contribution of innovation in criminal justice very well. In
particular, suggesting core principles for innovation and advocating the
use of strengths-based approaches in researching and evaluating such
initiatives.
The analysis is heavily focused on prison-based projects and
initiatives, and a complimentary review of community-based projects
within each themed section would have strengthened the empirical
chapters. In addition, a key concern of projects and initiatives working
with offenders is the evaluation of their impact. Whilst some of the
initiatives appear to have incorporated evaluative processes, this was
unclear for many of those presented, and some discussion of evaluation
of impact would have been useful. The critical reflection sections
assist the reader in understanding the themes of best practice for the
initiatives presented, and they provide questions to encourage critical
thought, which adds to the concise and accessible nature of the book.
Overall, the authors set out to 'promote innovation and
improvement in services and systems that work with ex-offenders'
and pursue their passion for 'what else works' (p.12). They
achieve this in a thoughtful and well-structured book, which will be of
valued interest to academics, criminal justice practitioners, students
and innovators.
Dr Daniel Marshall, Managing Director, 81 Dots and Visiting
Scholar, Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge
