Trauma-informed Criminal Justice

This book is the first to examine trauma-informed criminal justice responses to the commission of crime and its impact through empathy and humanity. Trauma-informed criminal justice uses compassion to achieve a safer community for everyone.

There are three parts: the first examines how adversity, trauma and crime are related. The second focuses on trauma-informed criminal justice responses to people who have offended, victims of crime, and professionals at risk of vicarious trauma. The third focuses on trauma-informed sentencing and compassionate justice through therapeutic jurisprudence and judicial empathy. Each chapter is designed to be a stand-alone resource.

“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)

“Rather than ask how we might best ‘manage’ those who appear in our courts and are held in our prisons, this book 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)

“The work provides an important counterbalance to the ill-informed penal populism and penal harm movements, challenging the whole system to begin or continue progress toward humanising and healing, especially for Indigenous people.” (Professor Devon Polaschek, The University of Waikato, New Zealand)

“Essential reading for all who want to work towards a kinder, more effective justice response.” (Professor Lorana Bartels, Australian National University, Australia)

“Dr McLachlan offers us a comprehensive, compassionate, culturally attuned re-imagining of a criminal justice system that acknowledges and responds to the pain and unique needs of those who have experienced trauma. A system that considers the traumatic experiences of people who have offended – often representing multiple unconvicted crimes, which result in an accumulation of neglected scars of injustice in that person’s life. Criminal justice workers’ vicarious trauma is also addressed. A remarkable vision and a significant contribution to the field.” (Lawrence Jones, Head of Psychology, Rampton Hospital, England)

"’Trauma-informed Criminal Justice’ is a landmark book that maps out the many ways in which trauma affects the justice system. It is a must-read for anyone trying to understand how to improve the situation for people inside the system, including the workforce. Its insights and recommendations give a road map for the future built on evidence and compassion.” (Professor Peter G. Miller, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Australia)

“Dr McLachlan’s book is sweeping in scope. Alongside research and thinking on causes of trauma and criminal behaviour, she exposes the roles played by criminal justice systems in perpetuating harm or in remediation and recovery for victims, workers and perpetrators of crime. The work provides an important counterbalance to the ill-informed penal populism and penal harm movements, challenging the whole system to begin or continue progress toward humanising and healing, especially for Indigenous people.” (Professor Devon Polaschek, The University of Waikato, New Zealand)

“For too long, the criminal justice system has ignored the impacts of trauma on the lives of those who fill our courtrooms and prison cells. This book provides a clear-eyed analysis of the interactions between trauma and crime before developing a framework for trauma-informed sentencing, especially in the context of First Nations people. Grounded in rigorous research and first-hand experience, it makes a compelling case for compassion. It is essential reading for all who want to work towards a kinder, more effective justice response.” (Lorana Bartels, Professor of Criminology, Australian National University, Australia)

“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 it is that brings a person into the system and how the foundation for rehabilitative success is compassion and healing.” (Professor Andrew Day, University of Melbourne, Australia)
 

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 Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Flinders University, Australia and has been a member of the Parole Board of South Australia since 2015.