Collateral Consequences And Professional Membership In Australia

• In Event: Background Checks and Life after Conviction

Abstract

Globally, justice-involved persons with criminal records experience societal and legal consequences post-prison. These consequences may include suspensions, exclusion, revocation of license or professional membership, economic restrictions, discrimination against rent, and disqualification from certain employment and access to other social services rooted in codified legislation or policies and societal responses to crime. Thus, collateral consequences may be spearheaded by government agencies, professional license bodies, or individuals after accessing the criminal records of a justice-involved person. Collateral consequences research has garnered attention in Continental Europe and North America over the last two decades, with a dearth of literature in the Australian context. The current paper reviews existing professional licensing protocols and eligibility for membership in Australian professional licensing bodies, such as the Australian Association of Social Workers, Australian Community Workers Association, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council, and Australian Psychological Association. The review is complemented by qualitative interviews with administrators of professional licensing bodies to explore a co-productive approach to address the exclusion of justice-involved persons in employment and professional membership towards a successful community re-entry needed to address recidivism.

Author

• Frank Darkwa Baffour, The University of Newcastle