Queering our conclusions: Understanding Definitions' Influence on Queer Criminological Research

• In Event: Queer Criminology Research in Prisons

Abstract

To effectively understand how people end up in prison, criminologists need to understand who is in prison. But, especially given the novelty of the concept, queer criminology has yet to standardize a definition of “queer," “LGBT,” etc. In leaving these definitions up to researchers, there is no consensus on how much of the prison population is queer and, consequently, to what degree, if at all, queer individuals are overrepresented in the prison system. Based on a review of the literature, and simple quantitative models, this study attempts to understand the definitions and conclusions in existing literature, to standardize how criminologists quantify “queer,” and to understand to what extent, if any, this population is overrepresented in prison.

Author

• Jessica L. Raskauskas, Arizona State University