"Doing Convict Criminology as a Non-Con."

• In Event: Resistance to Injustice: Convict Criminology's role in an Erratic Present and Uncertain Future

Abstract

Much like standpoint theories within the feminist framework, convict criminology provides a useful tool and framework in which to study the criminal justice apparatus in American society. The importance of the insider perspective for critical analysis of incarceration has been well documented, and has led to an increased emphasis on the convict criminology perspective within the discipline. However, one major criticism of the growth of convict criminology is the inclusion of non-con academics who identify and practice as conflict criminologists. We challenge this assertion and argue that the collaboration of ex-cons and non-cons is important for moving convict criminology forward and producing research that works to challenge and reform criminal justice. Drawing from fieldwork experience interviewing formally incarcerated men, this paper explores the importance of using both insider and outsider perspectives to analyze and interpret narrative data. In the focal study, both a non-con and an ex-con convict criminologist designed an interview protocol, conducted team interviews, and coded interview data on the stigma management strategies of formerly incarcerated men. We argue our different positionalities provided the opportunity for a more robust analysis. Implications of team research are discussed.

Author

• Nicholas Park, Gavilan College