Drake, DH and Henley, A (2013) Victims versus offenders in British political discourse: the construction of a false dichotomy. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 53 (2). 141 - 157. ISSN 1468-2311

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Abstract

This article evaluates the contemporary discursive status of victims and people convicted of criminal offences. The rhetoric used by British politicians to convey the meaning of ‘rights’ is explored within media output, parliamentary speech-making and other forms of political discourse. Our analysis details how victims’ rights are sometimes advocated for at the expense of ‘offenders’ ’ rights in public discourse. Examination of parliamentary debates illustrates that differentiating between ‘victims’ and ‘offenders’ elides consideration of more meaningful support for victims, worsens opportunities for the reintegration of ex-prisoners and constructs a false dichotomy between citizens who do not fall into mutually-exclusive categories.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Drake, D.H. & Henley, A.J., 2013. “Victims” Versus “Offenders” in British Political Discourse: The Construction of a False Dichotomy. Howard J Crim Justice, 53(2), pp.141–157. which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hojo.12057. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
Uncontrolled Keywords: human rights; prisoners; populist punitiveness; disenfranchisement
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
K Law > K Law (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Criminology and Sociology
Depositing User: Symplectic
Date Deposited: 09 Mar 2016 14:24
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2016 14:24
URI: https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/1550

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