Synopses & Reviews
Communities, identities and crime provides a critical exploration of the importance of social identities when considering crime, victimisation and criminal justice. Offering a refreshing perspective on equality and diversity developments that feature in the policies and practices of criminal justice agencies, the author critically examines: 'race' relations legislation, 'race' equality and criminal justicegender, crime and victimisationthe increasing role that faith communities play in community justicehate crimes committed against individuals, motivated by prejudicecommunity engagement and participation in criminal justice, community cohesion and civil renewal.The book incorporates a broader theoretical focus, exploring identity theory, late modernity, identity constructions, communities and belongingness. The author also raises important theoretical and methodological issues that a focus upon social identities poses for the subject discipline of criminology.Clearly written in an engaging style, with case studies and chapter questions used throughout, the book is essential reading for postgraduate students of criminology, criminal justice, social policy, sociology, victimology and law. Undergraduate students and criminal justice practitioners will also find the book informative and researchers will value its theoretical and policy focus.
Review
This lucidly written book places notions of community and identity at the centre of a critical analysis of contemporary criminology. It is a 'must read' for all those concerned with (re)developing a critical criminology and social policy. Professor Nick Ellison, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds
Synopsis
Equality and diversity issues feature significantly in the policies and practices of all criminal justice agencies. This book examines crime, criminal justice, and community safety issues with respect to a wide range of communities and identities. The book covers late modernity, identity formations, communities and crime, and hate crimes including: race/religious hate crimes; offenses against gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual communities; and crimes against people with disabilities. UK case studies and chapter questions are used throughout to enhance student learning.
Synopsis
This book provides a critical exploration of the importance of social identities when considering crime, victimisation and criminal justice and offers a refreshing perspective on the most significant developments in relation to equality and diversity issues that feature in policies and practices of criminal justice agencies.
About the Author
Basia Spalek, Institute of Applied Social Sciences, University of Birmingham
Table of Contents
Introduction
Social identites in late modernity: offender and victim identity constructions
Equality and diversity agendas in criminal justice
Researching identitles and communities: key epistemological, methodological and ethical dilemmas
Communities and criminal justice: engaging legitimised, project and resistance identities
Gender, crime, victimisation and criminal justice
'Race', crime and criminal justice
Faith identities, crime and criminal justice
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, crime, victimisation and criminal justice
Ageing, disability, criminology and criminal justice
Conclusion: communities, identities and criminology