NCJ Number
205384
Date Published
2004
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This chapter presents an overview of the globalization of punishment discourse, examines the case study of Western Australia’s adaptation of the What Works agenda to local needs, and raises questions on the future of What Works as a global discourse.
Abstract
The globalization of punishment talk has provided comforting solutions in the form of an international trade in penal ideas, such as restorative justice, family group conferencing, and mandatory sentencing. These ideas have been imported and exported throughout the world. Another idea traded around is What Works, the fast food of punishment in the community. In the content of the globalization of crime and punishment discourses, how does one make sense of these developments? The idea for this chapter was developed from work undertaken in 1998 and followed up in 2002-2003 in Western Australia which looked at ways in which community corrections personnel had interpreted the What Works agenda. The chapter begins with an overview of the globalization of punishment discourse, with particular reference to community-based penalties. It continues with consideration given to the specific case of Western Australia as a study in the adaptation/subversion of the What Works agenda to local needs. Lastly, it raises questions about the future of What Works as a global discourse and suggests an agenda for its adaptation if it is to survive into the 21st century. References