Creating Transformational Change: exploring the place of social service NGOs in the abolitionist movement in Aotearoa
Research Summary:
This project examines the potential for social service NGOs to contribute to a prison abolitionist movement in Aotearoa. Across Aotearoa over 8000 people are incarcerated and many more are impacted by our criminal justice system. We see hyper-incarceration of Māori, a lack of effective rehabilitation, and failure to address underlying issues. These features have led to calls for a transformational change away from our current system of justice. Many Social Workers believe there is a need for change, though embodying this in practice can be challenging. This research seeks to understand the opportunities/barriers for us to make meaningful contribution.
Participation Criteria:
We are currently seeking participants for this research who:
- Are currently working at/managing social service NGOs in Ōtākou and/or Murihuku
OR
- Have worked at/managed a social service NGO in Ōtākou and/or Murihuku for at least
1 out of the last 3 years
- Identify themselves as someone who would like to see change in our justice system change in our justice system
- Are available for an 45-90 minute interview either in person or via Zoom
- Are 18 years or older.
Participants do not need to work directly with the justice system, as we recognise that transformational change can and does occur outside of direct contact with the system.
What will Participants be Asked to Do?
Should you agree to take part in this project, you will be asked to participate in one 45-90 minute interview. The interviews will be organised at your convenience. They will take place in semi-public space (such as a café or booked room at Otago University), on Zoom, or at your
place of work. Location will be based on your preference.
The interviews do not have a set list of questions but are based around key themes. You will be asked to provide some basic demographic information, alongside some information
- Your view of our current justice system and your hopes for change.
- Your approach to your work - This will include how your view of our justice system is present in your approach.
- Your experience embodying this approach - This will include the ways in which your work environment enables or constrains your approach. If you are a manager, this may focus on how macro level ‘work environments’ like available funding/contracts enables or constrains your approach.
Participants will receive koha of a $50 voucher at either New World or Z Fuel as an acknowledgement of their contribution to this project. They will also be reimbursed for any expenses if they have travelled to an in-person interview.
Please be aware that you may decide not to take part in the project without any disadvantage to yourself of any kind.
What Data or Information will be Collected and What Use will be Made of it?
You will be asked to provide some basic demographic information at the start of your first interview (gender, ethnicity, type of social service work you are/were engage in). All interviews will be audio recorded and kept securely on Erin Silver’s computer. If you are interviewed via Zoom, and audio-visual recording will be taken as this is the recording method facilitated by Zoom. These interviews will then be transcribed and once transcribed, will be de-identified by assigning a number to the transcript. Only Erin will know the original name from the transcript.
Sections of the transcribed interview will be used throughout Erin’s PhD thesis and for potential publications. All sections that appear in the thesis or publications will be deidentified using a participant number. The results of the project may be published and will be available in the University of Otago Library (Ōtepoti, New Zealand) but every attempt will be made to ensure that you will not be identified.
The assigning of a participant number is intended to make you unidentifiable for the general reader. However, some information you provide around your work type will be used to identify the relevance of your contribution to a particular theme. This will be reported in the study in generalised terms. For example, “Participant 1 is a social worker in adult mental health organisation.” We acknowledge that there is a possibility that this information, alongside specific knowledge you provide in the interview, may make you identifiable to someone working locally in this field. To address this, you will be informed about the language that will be used to describe you (e.g. “social worker in adult mental health organisation”), and you will have the opportunity request an adjustment to this language, and to read your transcribed interviews and withdraw comments for whatever reason, including any concern around
identification.
Can Participants Change their Mind and Withdraw from the Project?
You can stop any interview at any stage and ask for the audio/video recording to be stopped. Once your interview is transcribed, you will be provided with a copy of this transcript you will be given the opportunity to change anything or withdraw the data completely without any disadvantage to yourself.
Sharing Study Results with Participants
As a participant in this study, you will have the opportunity to opt into an emailing list to receive updates on the research. Participants on this emailing list will be notified when the thesis is completed and will receive a summary of the findings. This email address will only be used organise your interview and to communicate the study results with you.
What if Participants have any Questions?
If you have any questions about our project, either now or in the future, please feel free to contact either:-
Erin Silver: erin.silver@postgrad.otago.ac.nz or
Assoc. Prof Marcelle Dawson: marcelle.dawson@otago.ac.nz | PH: 03 479 8113
Department of Sociology, Gender Studies & Criminology
This study has been approved by the University of Otago Human Ethics Committee. If you have any concerns about the ethical conduct of the research you may contact the Committee through the Human Ethics Committee Administrator (ph +643 479 8256 or email humanethics@otago.ac.nz). Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated and you will be informed of the outcome
Date published: 1 February 2024
Date closes: 31 August 2024
More