The Challenge of Pre-Trial Detention
Pre-trial detention has long been criticized for its substantial social and judicial costs, yet it continues to escalate. Today, 73% of adults in provincial prisons are held in pre-trial detention, a statistic that raises urgent questions about the justice system's priorities and practices.
In her presentation, Professor Vanhamme explores:
- The Legal and Political Context: How legislative and policy frameworks shape the growing reliance on pre-trial detention.
- Debunking Myths: An analysis dismantling the weak hypothesis that rising crime rates drive this trend.
- Systemic Operations and Decision-Making: A focus on how institutional processes and contextual factors contribute to pre-trial detention, particularly affecting vulnerable social groups.
By unpacking these dynamics, Professor Vanhamme provides a clearer understanding of the systemic challenges that perpetuate inequality within the criminal justice system.
Key Takeaways
The presentation highlights how pre-trial detention disproportionately impacts marginalized and fragile social groups, exposing the deep-rooted inequities within decision-making processes. It calls for critical reflection on the policies and practices that sustain this troubling reality.