Lived Experience (Criminology): Co-optation, Representation and the “Density of Relations”

• In Event: Prison Working Group: Doing prison research: Reflections on funding, ethics, knowledge production, and othering

Abstract

In reevaluating the role of lived experience within the criminological discourse, this paper critically engages with the emergent politics of co-optation, interrogating the dynamics of knowledge production by scholars with lived prison experience. Despite the nominal valorisation of lived experiences within criminology, an authenticity gap remains, marked by demographic discrepancies between lived experience scholars and the broader incarcerated population they aim to represent. This disjunction underscores significant concerns regarding the inclusivity and diversity of criminological scholarship, prompting an inquiry into the adequacy of these narratives in capturing the heterogeneity of those ensnared by the criminal justice system (CJS). Engaging Édouard Glissant’s concepts of relation and the density of relations, this paper transcends conventional calls for demographic representativeness in lived experience narratives. It asserts that these narratives' value lies not solely in their reflective demographic accuracy but in their substantive contributions to the discipline. Glissant’s framework, emphasising the intricate web of relations that individuals navigate within and outside the carceral system, challenges us to reconceptualise representation in criminology. This approach underscores the interconnectedness of personal narratives with broader socio-historical matrices, thereby enriching our understanding of the CJS through a more nuanced lens. This paper critically examines the power dynamics underpinning the production of criminological knowledge, questioning why and how certain lived experiences are privileged over others. It explores the mechanisms of co-optation that allow for the elevation of select narratives, which, while valuable, do not necessarily encapsulate the demographic diversity of the incarcerated populace. By weaving Glissant’s theoretical insights into the discourse on lived experience in criminology, this research advocates for a paradigm that cherishes the depth and plurality of perspectives. Such an approach not only diversifies criminological scholarship but also informs the development of more empathetic, efficacious policies and interventions.

Author

• Dwayne Antojado, University of Melbourne