Simon Fraser University. Criminology

Digital Document

An increase in the amount of high-profile incidents and attacks in the West perpetrated by individuals subscribing to a variety of extremist ideologies over the past decade has led to an influx of academic research concerned with uncovering how and why it is that individuals become radicalized toward ideologically-motivated extremist violence. While such research has examined a diverse range of social, demographic, and psychological variables and their potential link/correlation to the radicalization process, there has yet to emerge an accurate or reliable ‘profile’ with respect to who is more or less likely to become radicalized or join extremist/terrorist movements. The primary aim of this dissertation is to present a novel theoretical approach which centers the concept of individual identity as the fundamental factor which drives individuals in the West toward involvement with extremist movements. This theory of identity, which presupposes that macro-level structural factors fundamentally dictate how individuals experience and internalize identity on a micro-level, is outlined by tracing how the concept of ‘identity’ has historically evolved in ‘Western’ culture up to its current iteration in modern, hyper-connected, late-capitalist society. Once outlined, this theory of identity is empirically applied to the digital media content of two extremist movements via a mixed-method approach that utilizes topic modelling, sentiment analysis, and thematic/discourse analysis. More specifically, the content of the so-called Islamic State (including videos, magazines, and Twitter posts) and the user-generated comments of the notorious far-right online community r/The_Donald are examined through this theoretical lens and analyzed with this mixed-method approach. Results indicate that, wittingly or not, modern extremist movements routinely incorporate questions of identity into both their propaganda and general discussions in a manner that provides simplistic solutions and answers to the complex problems of identity and self that are created and amplified within modern Western culture. As such, this dissertation argues that the attraction of extremist ideology and the potential for extremist violence is, at current, an inevitable byproduct of modern macro-level structural and economic conditions.

Extending a relative methodological perspective to sentencing outcome analysis

Digital Document

The mood and temper of the public in regard to any issue ought to be informed by up to date, comprehensive, valid, and reliable information. With respect to sentencing, the Canadian public has never been well-informed. This thesis suggests that introducing alternative methodological perspectives may hold the key to unlocking new findings in existing data sources. This is particularly true for descriptive comparison procedures where the goal is to identify meaningful patterns across factors related to the sentencing process. In order to supplement direct comparative procedures that have been used in previous research, this thesis uses a relative methodological perspective to develop new measurement techniques. A compilation of three studies employs the new techniques with existing data available in Canada to study critical areas of inquiry that have long plagued sentencing in the country. Study 1 introduces an analytic method to explore national patterns of sanction use across a series of offence categories. The new technique serves as an important supplement to conventional measures by uncovering patterns that had previously gone undetected. Study 2 uses the general approach proposed in Study 1 to advance a more complex analytic technique to detect jurisdictional consistency in sentencing outcomes. The technique is found to identify new forms of sentence consistency and disparity that had been neglected in previous research. Study 3 uses the strategy employed in Study 2, to study the sentencing patterns of Aboriginal offenders, specifically. By employing conventional measures alongside the newly developed technique, the study demonstrates that certain provinces and territories are disproportionately represented in their patterns of correctional program use with Aboriginal offenders. Collectively, the results of this thesis highlight the importance of adopting a relative perspective in sentencing outcome analysis.

An evaluation of closed circuit television at the Scott Road Skytrain Station Park and Ride in Surrey, British Columbia

Digital Document

In August, 2009 a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) pilot project commenced at the Scott Road Skytrain Station Park and Ride in Surrey, BC. The pilot project was implemented by the City of Surrey and scheduled for one year. This document reports on an evaluation of the CCTV system with respect to its ability to reduce auto-related crime and fear of crime at the pilot site. Using several sources of data including PRIME-BC crime incidents, ICBC insurance claim incidents, and results of victimization surveys, the evaluation considers the trends of auto-related crimes over several years in the City of Surrey and the northern district of the Corporation of Delta, BC. While the reductions in auto-related crime were large enough in magnitude to conclude that the CCTV system was effective, without further investigation it is difficult to quantify the decrease. Significant reductions in fear of crime were also identified.

The impact of adjudicated residential treatment on recidivism in female youth

Digital Document

This study explores the impact of adjudicated residential addiction treatment on recidivism in female youth. Recidivism was measured both in elapsed time to reoffending and in number of new offences in several offence categories. Findings indicate that female youth admitted to the residential addiction treatment program demonstrated reduced recidivism in several offence categories, compared to youth who were referred, but not admitted, to the program. Unlike previous research, this study did not indicate a relationship between multiproblem youth and reduced engagement and retention or less positive treatment outcomes. As the treatment program operates as an alternative to custody, these findings support that adjudicated treatment may be effective in addressing the issues underlying criminal behaviour in some youth.

Sentencing chronic offenders: 30 strikes and you're out?

Digital Document

Canadian legislation surrounding sentencing has been prefaced by a statement of the purposes and principles of sentencing since 1996. This legislation identifies proportionality as the fundamental principle in sentencing, and states that sentences should be proportional to the gravity of the offence and the degree of responsibility of the offender. Although prior criminal record may be considered as an aggravating factor by the judiciary when deciding upon an appropriate sentence, our current legislation does not mirror other sentencing systems such as those seen in the United States, where a criminal record may at times form the sole basis for the increasing length of incarceration. The Canadian experience with the sentencing of chronic offenders is an important indicator of sentencing policy in practice. If proportionality is the primary goal of sentencing, how are Canadian judges handling those chronic property offenders who commit dozens or even hundreds of offences over their criminal history? Are sentences strictly controlled by the gravity of the instant offence or are they being inflated by the offender’s criminal history? The aim of this study is to examine if indicators of sentence inflation can be observed in the sentencing patterns for one such group of chronic offenders. In general, the results appear mixed, as some increasing severity outside of the nature of the offence can be seen in terms of denial of bail and imposition of a custodial sentence. However, analysis of the length of the custodial sentences does not clearly demonstrate substantial inflation over those that would be expected solely on the basis of proportionality even for the most incorrigible offenders. What this creates, however, is a revolving door for many of these offenders. The difficulty comes with trying to balance the needs of the public in terms of protection from such chronic offenders (Street Crime Working Group, 2005), while still adhering to the legislated purposes and principles of sentencing.

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