Trauma-informed Criminal Justice

“This much-needed book weaves a beautifully written narrative on the importance of compassionate criminal justice. Not only does this book cover ground yet to be addressed, but it also provides imperative practical and theoretical insights for students, practitioners, and academics on how to further trauma-centric practices in the justice system. I recommend this as a must-read for anyone interested in the nexus of trauma and criminal justice.” —Dr Colleen M. Berryessa, Rutgers University, USA “This is a book that will change the way we think about criminal justice. Rather than ask how we might best ‘manage’ those who appear in our courts and are held in our prisons, it challenges us to think more carefully about what brings a person into the system and how the foundation for rehabilitative success is compassion and healing.” —Professor Andrew Day, University of Melbourne, Australia This book is the first to examine trauma-informed criminal justice, which provides a new understanding of why people commit crimes and how society can respond with compassion and humanity. There are three parts. The first examines how adversity, trauma, and crime are related. The second focuses on trauma-informed criminal justice responses to those who have offended, to victims of crime, and to professionals at risk of vicarious trauma. The final part considers sentencing and the importance of judicial empathy. Each chapter is a stand-alone resource that speaks to academics and students of law and legal studies, to criminologists and social workers, and to psychologists and psychiatrists. It is essential reading for all of those who work in the criminal justice system, including police officers, legal practitioners, correctional service workers, and policymakers whether they are in Australia, the UK and Ireland, Aotearoa New Zealand, Canada, or the US. Dr Katherine J. McLachlan has extensive experience working in the criminal justice system in roles related to policing, child protection and youth justice, and victims of crime. She is currently the Teaching Program Director and a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Flinders University, Australia and has been a member of the Parole Board of South Australia since 2015.