Decolonial Perspectives in Criminology and Justice
Summary
Decolonial perspectives in criminology and justice interrogate the colonial roots of legal systems, theoretical frameworks and knowledge production. They challenge the assumption of Western universality by exposing how coloniality—a set of enduring power relations born of empire—shapes definitions of crime, modes of policing and penal practices worldwide. This field foregrounds voices and experiences historically marginalised by colonial rule, including those of Indigenous peoples, communities in the Global South and racialised minorities. By integrating alternative epistemologies and methodologies, decolonial criminology seeks to dismantle epistemic hierarchies, redress historical injustices and reimagine practices of accountability, healing and community safety. Its practical significance ranges from revising criminology curricula and diversifying scholarly networks to reforming investigative and prosecutorial approaches that currently replicate colonial patterns of dispossession and control.
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Technical terms
Coloniality: Enduring structures of power and knowledge established under colonial rule that continue to shape social, legal and academic systems.
Decolonial option: An epistemological stance that seeks to dismantle coloniality by embracing alternative ways of being, knowing and relating beyond Western modernity.
Southern criminology: A branch of criminology that centres research agendas, theories and perspectives originating in the Global South to challenge Northern dominance.
Epistemic injustice: Harm done to individuals or groups by undermining their capacity as knowers or by devaluing their contributions to collective understanding.
References
- A Friendly Critique of ‘Asian Criminology’ and ‘Southern Criminology’. The British Journal of Criminology (2018).
- Decolonizing Southern Criminology: What Can the “Decolonial Option” Tell Us About Challenging the Modern/Colonial Foundations of Criminology?. Critical Criminology (2021).
- Whose Voices are Prioritised in Criminology, and Why Does it Matter?. Race and Justice (2022).
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