Post #247
549 words; 2 minutes to read
Summary: Given the significant gaps between research and policy in criminal justice, often due to the sensationalism of crime and barriers to accessing research, the need for easily accessible, evidence-based information is crucial. Here’s how we are addressing this with our Instagram page.
By Emily Stewart, Associate Editor
Criminal justice is a field with a particularly significant gap between what the research tells us and the policies we enact. Despite the well-documented evidence showing the ineffectiveness of prisons and the fact that we know harsher punishment does not improve public safety, we continue to see a push for more ‘tough on crime’ policies, including increased use of detention for individuals not yet found guilty of an offense.
Given the known effects of incarceration, the need for reliable, accessible, and evidence-based information is crucial.
Educating beyond sensationalism
While a lot of great work is being done, research in the criminal justice space faces many hurdles. The complexity of writing for peer-reviewed journals versus the public, coupled with traditional paywalls, makes much of this work hard to access.
Additionally, evidence alone also doesn’t change opinions or policies. Criminal justice policy is frequently up against politicians and traditional mass media outlets, which often focus on sensational and emotionally charged stories. The media can exacerbate this issue by drawing hasty conclusions without sufficient information or evidence.
This lack of accessible information can result in a distorted picture of the system, often leading to the adoption of counterproductive and sometimes harmful policies. This highlights the critical need for more accessible research and a better-informed public. And this is precisely what the John Howard Society strives to do with our blog and Instagram.
The use of social media to foster public awareness:
Social media has become a powerful tool in shaping public opinions and discourse around various issues, including criminal justice. And while our blog has become a reliable source for information on various topics within the field, we started our Instagram about a year ago to expand our reach.
We use our Instagram page to announce new blog posts and share highlights from our archive. Our Instagram page is a great way for us to engage with current events and discussions in the criminal justice field, using our past blog posts as evidence to support our arguments. Instagram enables us to comment on and counteract current media, political, and public discourse promptly, using well-supported evidence.
We also use this page to connect with and share works from like-minded organizations.
Amplifying non-traditional voices
While our Instagram is used to share research and evidence within criminal justice and promote critical thinking, we also present multiple perspectives often traditionally left out from mainstream media. This includes various professionals in the field—such as researchers, community workers, lawyers, and other professionals—and those with lived experiences, amplifying the voices of those often excluded in these critical discussions.
Pathway to informed justice
By embracing social media platforms like our Instagram page, we can bypass traditional gatekeepers and create alternative channels for sharing information. This helps us foster greater awareness, empathy, and engagement around critical social issues. We can influence public opinions, shape narratives, and contribute to more evidence-based decision-making in areas related to criminal justice.
We hope that the blog and our Instagram page will continue to be of increasing value to a broad audience interested in these issues, including students, journalists, community advocates, and the general public.
If you are not already following our page, you can find us on Instagram here.
The John Howard Society of Canada blog is intended to support a greater public understanding of criminal justice issues in Canada. Blog content does not necessarily represent the views of the John Howard Society of Canada. All blog material may be reproduced freely for any non-profit purpose as long as the source is acknowledged. We welcome comments (moderated) and suggestions for content. Contact: blogeditor@nulljohnhoward.ca
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