Putting ‘Justice’ in Recovery Capital: Yarning about Hopes and Futures with Young People in Detention
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Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia
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University of Canberra Australia
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University of Derby United Kingdom
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Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia Australia
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Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia Australia
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Telethon Kids Institute Australia
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Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia Australia
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Telethon Kids Institute Australia
Abstract
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are over-represented in Australian youth detention centres and the justice system. In contrast to deficit-focused approaches to health and justice research, this article engages with the hopes, relationships and educational experiences of 38 detained youth in Western Australia who participated in a study of screening and diagnosis for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. We report on a qualitative study that used a ‘social yarning’ approach. While the participants reported lives marred by substance use, crime, trauma and neurodevelopmental disability, they also spoke of strong connections to country and community, their education experiences and their future goals. In line with new efforts for a ‘positive youth justice’ and extending on models of recovery capital, we argue that we must celebrate success and hope through a process of mapping and building recovery capital in the justice context at an individual and institutional level.
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Author Biographies
Sharynne Hamilton is a PhD Candidate with the Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia. Her research interests include bettering family inclusion in statutory systems and improving the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities involved with the justice and out of home care system.
Sarah Maslen is Assistant Professor of Sociology in the Faculty of Business, Government and Law, University of Canberra. Her research focuses on learning, decision making and the senses in medicine, engineering, outdoor adventure and the arts. Her current research interests include use of digital media in knowing about health and disease
David Best is Professor of Criminology at Sheffield Hallam University and Honorary Professor of Regulation and Global Governance at Australian National University. He has worked in practice, research and policy in the areas of addiction recovery and rehabilitation of offenders and his current research includes recovery capital and desistance, recovery pathways, social identity theory and addiction treatment effectiveness.
Jacinta Freeman (MPH) is a Research Assistant at Telethon Kids Institute. Her background is in Nursing, Midwifery and Public Health, working in regional and remote areas of Western Australia. Jacinta has worked in research, in the areas of FASD and youth justice and currently in youth suicide prevention with vulnerable populations.
Dr O’Donnell is a Senior Research Fellow at Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia. Her focus is in conducting policy relevant research to improve the outcomes for children through prevention and early intervention of child abuse and neglect. Her work has contributed to National and State policy and practice in the area of child protection and family support.
Tracy Reibel BA (Hons) PhD has thirty years’ experience conducting health and social equity research from positions in community organisations, research institutes and universities. She has expertise in qualitative methods, evaluation, and health professional educational development. She is currently the Principal Research Fellow at the Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity at Murdoch University.
Raewyn Mutch (MBCHB, DipRACOG, FRACP, PhD) is an Associate Professor with the University of Western Australia and a paediatrician caring for children and adolescents with a special interest in refugee and asylum seeker health. Raewyn has a track record of clinical and research work among culturally and linguistically diverse families, neurodevelopment and justice disciplines.
Rochelle Watkins is an Epidemiologist and a Senior Research Fellow, FASD Research Australia Centre of Research Excellence, Telethon Kids Institute.