Race, Recognition and Retribution in Contemporary Youth Justice: The Intractability Malleability Thesis

Race, Recognition, and Retribution in Contemporary Youth Justice explores the legacy of racial discrimination in youth justice practice in Canada and England, linking disparities to historical exclusion. Despite rehabilitative and retributive ideologies, Black inner-city youth are disproportionately incarcerated. The book argues for explicit prioritization of lenience and social care in contemporary justice efforts, drawing on critical race theory and recognition theory. It is valuable for academics, students, practitioners, policymakers, and third-sector organizations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 31 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Race, Recognition, and Retribution in Contemporary Youth Justice delves into a comprehensive cross-national and sociohistorical exploration of the enduring legacy of racial discrimination, shaping contemporary youth justice practices in Canada and England. The book establishes a profound connection between racial disparities in youth justice, particularly the exclusion of Black inner-city youth from ideologies of care and notions of future citizenship, and historical practices of exclusion.

Despite the apparent embrace of rehabilitative and retributive forms of youth justice, Black inner-city youth continue to be marginalized from leniency and social welfare considerations. This exclusion reflects a deeply ingrained historical legacy of racial discrimination, evident in the harsher sanctions imposed upon Black, inner-city youth. In seeking to understand the role of race in this arrangement, the book poses crucial questions: To what extent have Black youth been excluded from historic considerations of leniency and social care, inherent in the logic of youth justice in England and Canada? How far do the disproportionately high incarceration rates of Black, inner-city youth in the contemporary system reflect a historical exclusion from these considerations of leniency and social care? What strategies can be implemented to reorient contemporary justice efforts to prioritize considerations of leniency and social care over punitive measures for Black, inner-city youth?

To answer these questions, the book employs a robust combination of archival and interview data, featuring interviewees from a diverse range of professionals who work closely with inner-city youth. This rich data set complements the archival and interview findings, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the entrenched structural continuities of racial discrimination.

In addition to its empirical analysis, the book introduces the intractability/malleability I/M thesis, an innovative social theoretical logic that expands the conventional analytical scope for comprehending the contemporary entrenched normalization of racism. This thesis offers a holistic approach, integrating multiple disciplines and perspectives to unravel the complex dynamics of racial discrimination and its impact on youth justice systems.

By undertaking a comprehensive examination of race, recognition, and retribution in contemporary youth justice, this book contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between history, social structures, and the experiences of Black, inner-city youth. It sheds light on the urgent need for transformative justice practices that prioritize equity, compassion, and the rehabilitation of young individuals, regardless of their race or background.

Weight: 513g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138488793