The electronic "scarlet letter": criminal backgrounding and a perpetual spoiled identity

Crimes are multifaceted events that are not adequately explained with basic descriptors, yet a considerable amount of significance is afforded to relatively few simplistic labels that make up the contemporary ‘‘scarlet letter.’’ Today’s criminal records create a lifetime of stigmatization for a pers...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Murphy, Daniel S. (Author)
Contributors: Fuleihan, Brian ; Richards, Stephen C. ; Jones, Richard S.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2011
In: Journal of offender rehabilitation
Year: 2011, Volume: 50, Issue: 3, Pages: 101-118
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Keywords:
convict criminology
electronic criminal record
Labeling
spoiled identity
Description
Summary:Crimes are multifaceted events that are not adequately explained with basic descriptors, yet a considerable amount of significance is afforded to relatively few simplistic labels that make up the contemporary ‘‘scarlet letter.’’ Today’s criminal records create a lifetime of stigmatization for a person. These public records employ a limited range of information. By acknowledging the deleterious effects of even one documented criminal event on an individual’s self-concept and status in society, we cannot avoid being faced with a serious moral dilemma in light of society’s prevalent reliance upon electronic criminal records. The electronic brand carried for life poses great challenges to offender rehabilitation and reintegration.
Item Description:Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 115-118
ISSN:1540-8558
DOI:10.1080/10509674.2011.560548