Toward a theory of Aboriginal criminality: A comparison of Aboriginal criminal justice issues in Canada and Australia

Abstract

This paper attempts to lay the groundwork for the development of a theory ofaboriginal criminality. As a starting point, the authors examine the state of researchand theorising about the causes of aboriginal involvement in the criminal justicesystems in Canada and Australia. In recent years, criminologists in both Canada andAustralia have carried out a great deal of research aimed at developing policies toaddress problems associated with the vast over-representation of aboriginal peoplein the criminal justice system. Despite extensive research, no attempt has yet beenmade to systematically compare the experience of aboriginal people in the criminaljustice systems of these two countries with the aim of developing a moregeneralisable cross-cultural theory. In search of a more adequate theoreticalframework for explaining the apparent similar patterns of criminal justice outcomesfound among aboriginal peoples in Canada, Australia and other countries, theauthors discuss a number of different approaches that can be taken to developing across-cultural theory of aboriginal criminality