On the All Things Youth Justice Podcast, we met with Dr. Nicola Collett, a lecturer at De Montfort University. Dr Nicola is an early-career researcher. She completed her PhD titled 'Constructing and maintaining a 'non-criminal' identity: a psychosocial narrative inquiry into the lives of people with convictions' in 2023 at Keele University.
During the course of Dr Nicola’s career, she was impacted by the apparent despondence in the lives of those with whom she worked concerning their lives and prospects. The frustration and injustice she observed were the motivating force behind her desire to pursue a PhD in Criminology. Dr Nicola observed that there were disparities in the way those with criminal convictions were treated by society.
We invited Dr Nicola on the show to discuss her findings in relation to her PhD. She advised that some young people with whom she worked, early in her career had all but given up on life at the tender age of 19. They could not see the point in applying effort to improve their lives because they felt that their criminal records would always be used against them.
In the course of her research, Dr Nicola interviewed various people and asked them how having a criminal record had impacted their lives. One of the people she interviewed advised that she was convicted of being in possession of Cannabis whilst she was in her twenties at university. However, although this individual is now in their 60s, unfortunately, she is still being asked questions by relevant organisations on what she would do if she were approached by a student in search of drugs.
Being formally labelled a 'former offender' or 'ex-con' can have a profound impact on life trajectories and wellbeing. My work is about trying to understand how people experience life with a criminal record. Not just with regards to employment, but with regards to things like identity and self-conception, engagement with family and forming intimate relationships, and freedom of movement and international travel. It is though this kind of research that we can begin to tackle the stigma of criminal records, and help build a fairer society for those who have them. This podcast is one way I'm able to get my work out there and encourage these conversations so thanks for having me!
Dr. Nicola Collett- Lecturer in Community and Criminal Justice
The podcast highlighted the fact that the UK does not yet have a system which allows for a criminal record to be expunged. This means that even minor convictions and police records can impact the life of an individual for a period of 100 years which is essentially a lifetime. An area which is often overlooked by the current criminal record system is the negative impact this has not only on the individual with the criminal record but also on their loved ones. People who made mistakes in their youth or were victims of traumatic childhood carry the burden of a criminal record throughout their lives. Their partners and children are also negatively impacted because such people may be unable to embark on family trips abroad due to their convictions.
Dr Nicola recommended that a reform is required that considers not only the crime committed but also takes a wholesome approach by considering the long-lasting impact on the individual and those who are connected to them. Click the link below to listen to the podcast:
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Youth Justice Project Development Manager
Chikodi Lori
chikodi@leicestershirecares.co.uk
To read about our Power to Change approach, click on the link below:
https://www.leicestershirecares.co.uk/about-charity/our-approach/power-to-change/#:~:text=We%20believe%20our%20power%20to,city%20and%20county%20for%20all.
For more information and insight into our Youth Justice Projects click the links below:
Man Cave Session: Business Ideas, Marketing, and Branding | Leicestershire Cares
Youth Justice Health and Wellbeing Day- Create Your Own Smoothie | Leicestershire Cares