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The co-constitution of chaos: Applying social theories of “mess” and “entanglement” to explicate the entangling of individual and institution in the Australian Criminal Justice System
Thu, September 12, 8:00 to 9:15am, Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest, Floor: Basement, Room 0.29Abstract
Violent offenders are often depicted as chaotic, whereas the chaos these individuals encounter in criminal justice institutions is not commonly reported. However, we found in qualitative offender-based research on diversion that chaos was co-constituted. We believe it is important to understand this co-constitution of chaos to address current barriers to change in the criminal justice systems. Our findings are drawn from qualitative research on ReINVEST a pharmacotherapy Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) at UNSW, Sydney. This RCT researched the use of sertraline to reduce impulsivity in men with histories of violence. Using Grounded Theory Analysis to analyse the 32 in-depth interviews conducted, and Law (2004) and Lock & Nguyen’s (2010) innovative theories of “mess” and “entanglement” respectively, we discovered that the co-constitution of chaos can result from: the complexity and entangling of individuals and institutions; conflicting cultures and practices, and dysfunction in criminal justice institutions, and issues with communication and relationality between individuals and institutions. Linking these aspects of chaos with participants reports of dysfunction in their lives and the criminal justice system, we emphasise the need to acknowledge and encourage healthy relationality and strong emotional intelligence and labour between criminal justice professionals and criminal justice involved men. We advocate for policy and practice that directs these men away from the criminal justice system into treatment and rehabilitation. It is vital that those creating such policy and practice understand the importance of emotional intelligence and healthy communication, the entangling of individuals, systems, and processes, and the co-constitution of chaos.