Changing the Conversation: The Use of Person-First Language in Criminal Labels
Changing the Conversation: The Use of Person-First Language in Criminal Labels
This thesis project was conducted by Rhiannon Little through the University of Maryland Criminology & Criminal Justice Departmental Honors Program. It assesses the role of language choices on attitudes toward justice-involved people using a randomized survey experiment. Navigate to the different pages on this site to learn more.
The following quote from Eddie Ellis, a reform activist and formerly incarcerated person, introduces the issue of stigmatizing language in criminal justice:
"When we are not called mad dogs, animals, predators, offenders, and other derogatory terms, we are referred to as inmates, convicts, prisoners, and felons---all terms devoid of humanness which identify us as 'things' rather than as people."
- Eddie Ellis, 2020
Person-first language acknowledges a person's humanity before a stigmatized attribute or experience (e.g. person with alcoholism). This is argued to be an appropriate way to refer to someone who has a problem that can be addressed rather than implying they are the problem.
Identity-first language identifies a characteristic before the person and may not acknowledge them at all (e.g. an alcoholic). This is believed to treat a person's stigmatizing trait as their only defining feature, contributing to broader dehumanization and stigmatization of the community. Identity-first language related to criminal justice contact is also known as crime-first language.
Although criminologists study arguably the most stigmatized group in society---those who commit crime---they often fall behind in utilizing inclusive language. We still frequently hear terms like criminal, inmate, felon, prisoner, offender, and ex-con.
Some scholars question why we label justice-involved people based on behavior we don't want them to repeat, rather than acknowledging other features that more holistically describe who they are. Behind criminal labels are layered individuals, who may also be caregivers, students, leaders, friends, artists, survivors, and other identities.
There has been a shift toward more inclusive language to reduce the stigma surrounding criminal justice contact. Examples of inclusive language include justice-involved person, incarcerated person, person with a felony conviction, returning citizen, formerly incarcerated person, and other person-centered language.
However, policies promoting inclusive language in criminology have received pushback from officials who argue that the stigma associated with criminal labels is deserved and productive in deterring people from crime.
Contact rhik003@terpmail.umd.edu to get more information on the project.