This special issue is devoted to a constantly growing field of interest within criminology and criminal justice: so-called collateral consequences of criminal records (hereinafter, CCCR). Criminal... Show moreThis special issue is devoted to a constantly growing field of interest within criminology and criminal justice: so-called collateral consequences of criminal records (hereinafter, CCCR). Criminal justice–involved individuals face burdensome legal and social barriers and disabilities that exist because of their prior contacts with the criminal legal system. Collateral consequences can be both formal and informal in nature. The first CCCR category − so-called de jure collateral consequences − includes sanctions, restrictions and disqualifications that attach to a criminal record which have either a statutory or regulatory basis. These consequences limit the full exercise of citizenship rights and restrict, access to employment and economic opportunities, as well as welfare benefits. To be clear, criminal justice actors are not the only authorities that may impose collateral consequences. Administrative licencing bodies, immigration authorities and other state-sanctioned actors exercising delegated functions play a key role in imposing formalised collateral consequences. The second category of CCCR − so-called de facto collateral consequences − includes social barriers and disabilities that lack a statutory basis and do not necessarily involve any government, or otherwise state-sanctioned, actors. These include restrictions inflicted by private actors, such as landlords and employers, acting upon criminal justice information obtained through criminal background checks. Show less
Recently, the new Working Group on Collateral Consequences of Criminal Records (CCCR) was established, chaired by Elina van ‘t Zand-Kurtovic and Alessandro Corda. After punishment has been served... Show moreRecently, the new Working Group on Collateral Consequences of Criminal Records (CCCR) was established, chaired by Elina van ‘t Zand-Kurtovic and Alessandro Corda. After punishment has been served in full, individuals re-entering society encounter additional legal and social barriers and disabilities that exist because of their conviction. People who have never being found guilty of a crime often face significant hurdles too, as arrest records and even acquittals can prove highly consequential. These ramifications of run-ins with the criminal justice system have come to be known as ‘collateral consequences’. Restrictions arising from having a criminal record can apply to the whole realm of social life, including employment, housing, immigration status, professional licensing, social benefits, voting rights and everyday social interactions.Theoretical and empirical criminological research on these exclusionary measures is still largely absent in the European context. The goal of this Working Group is to bring together researchers from different jurisdictions to promote research on, and knowledge of, the collateral consequences of criminal records within the European context and facilitate national and international collaboration among researchers in the field, including funding bids and publication projects. Scholars interested in exploring this under-researched field are warmly invited to join the Working Group, share their expertise and help build a strong and dynamic research network in this subject area. In particular, the Working Group aims to include researchers working on issues such as juvenile justice, sentencing and corrections, community sanctions, punishment and fundamental rights, immigration, citizenship and criminal justice, employment, and welfare and crime.The first steps of this Working Group were to recruit members and arrange three thematic panel sessions for the 2019 ESC annual conference in Ghent. Thematic sessions will focus on theoretical and empirical aspects of criminal records and collateral consequences. Furthermore, one session will mark the launch of the volume Fundamental Rights and Legal Consequences of Criminal Conviction edited by Sonja Meijer, Harry Annison and Ailbhe O'Loughlin (Hart Publishing, 2019). Additionally, we are going to have our first meeting during this conference, welcoming members and engaging in a productive discussion, as well as identifying mutual interests and developing collaborations with other ESC Working Groups. Researchers at all level of seniority who are interested in joining our Working Group or would like more information about it can contact us at e.g.van.t.zand@law.leidenuniv.nl or A.Corda@qub.ac.uk. Show less
