Browsing by Subject "Criminology"

Women commit international crimes for a variety of reasons, including political and personal agendas. Still, the perceptions of female offenders are often very gendered. These perceptions vary between female offenders committing crimes solely because they are influenced by a man to female offenders being sadistic monsters. In both instances female offenders are denied their personal agency. Either they are mentally, and sexually, deranged or not personally responsible for the crimes committed. This is a factor in sentencing proceedings as gender has been proved to play a role. It can act as an aggravating factor, which is the case when women are portrayed as monsters, or as a mitigating one. International crime and criminology have also generally considered female perpetrators an anomaly. Most of the early works in these fields either ignored the possibility of a woman committing crimes or regarded female criminals as mentally deranged to separate them from ‘ordinary’ women. Women are often victimised during conflicts and the protection of these women is extremely important. This work is not to undermine the efforts to protect women but to offer a more holistic approach to women’s wartime experiences. This thesis will discuss the crimes committed by Azra Basic during the war in Bosnia Herzegovina and Lynndie England in Abu Ghraib during the ‘war on terror’. Both women served as prison guards during their respective conflicts and were accused of participating in various atrocious crimes. England quickly became the face of the Abu Ghraib -scandal, not because she was more responsible of the torture than others, but because she was a young woman. Basic and England received relatively long sentences when these are viewed in context with the sentences of the men involved. In international criminal law there is an explicit obligation to prosecute or extradite. But with the primacy having been given to national courts, sentencing practices are not cohesive and national courts may be inclined to be more lenient towards their own nationals. In the cases of England and Basic it becomes clear that, although gendered language is not present in many court decisions or indictments, gender stereotypes and narratives have an impact on how men and women and their appropriate roles are seen in a society. Thus, though gender-neutral in language, the decisions were impacted by the fact that the perpetrators were women.

Counteracting issues of street violence in Finland, the Aggredi program in Helsinki aims to help offenders of street violence manage their violent behaviour. Basing their methods on a social constructionist framework, Aggredi aims to help their clients reduce their violence and life issues. This master’s thesis serves as a process evaluation to the Aggredi program. As a process evaluation, this study outlines Aggredi’s aims and means to assess whether or not the program works as intended. Connecting the study to a framework of criminological theory, the study explores the programs role in the clients detachment from a life of crime, or desistance. Data was gathered by analysing the programs official information and through qualitative semi-structured interviews of program workers and clients. Six individual interviews were conducted on program clients who had recently entered the program. A group interview was conducted for the programs five workers. The interviews were analysed using the qualitative method of thematic analysis and a fact-based perspective. Results show that in practice, Aggredi works to reduce their clients life and violence issues in two ways. Firstly, by attaching them to the program, and secondly, by transferring that attachment to society. Aggredi’s methods of attachment emerge through the programs individualized treatment approach. The results suggest Aggredi’s therapeutic client-worker bond seems to enhance program attachment and motivation. Through working methods of reflective dialog and practical aid, Aggredi’s workers take the roles of pro-social peer mentors. Clients describe their workers exchanging personal opinions, and supporting them in their anger management and issues of daily life. Aggredi’s personalized approach emerges as a possibility for relearning practical skills and social interaction. From a perspective of desistance, the clients explain that Aggredi keeps them motivated to detach themselves from violent crime, but a desire to change is necessary to begin treatment. The program thus emerges as a supporter of clients pre-established maintenance process. Overall, Aggredi’s non-structured approach works in accordance to the programs aims. However, results raise concerns regarding attachment of unmotivated clients and the programs non-structured approach. Development suggestions are proposed regarding Aggredi’s client direction, structure, as well as their treatment methods.