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Join Sarah Connelly from the University of Sunderland as she takes a deep dive into the subject of vulnerability in the criminal justice system. In episode 1, Sarah unpacks the criminal justice system, asking questions such as: What is the criminal justice system and what do we mean by criminal justice? Sarah then explores the three theories that underpin the UK criminal justice system and begins to explore some of the shifting procedures that have impacted the system that we live in now. In episode 2, Sarah introduces vulnerability as a concept in today’s society. Sarah also introduces a criminological lens to this conversation to answer questions as: how can vulnerability impact a person’s experience in criminal justice? In episode 3, Sarah applies vulnerability to a particular setting: police custody in the UK. Sarah will look at how this works and then begins to explain some of the existing procedures and understandings of vulnerability in police custody. Sarah also introduces the role of the appropriate adult, and some guidance surrounding how that role works. Finally, in episode 4, Sarah outlines why undertaking activities as a criminologist is important, before setting you an activity to have a go at. This particular activity has you applying the knowledge you have gained throughout this Subject Spotlight and identify vulnerability in a scenario.
Sarah ConnellyUniversity of SunderlandCriminology
All episodes
1. An introduction to the justice systems in the UK
2. Introducing inequalities in the criminal justice system
3. Case study: appropriate adults
4. Activity: identifying vulnerability
About the university
University of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland is a top 50 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2024) and a global institution which offers life-changing opportunities for over 20,000 students across its four campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong. With over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, placement opportunities and the option to study full or part-time, there’s something for everyone at Sunderland. The University of Sunderland has also received five stars for teaching, inclusiveness, employability and facilities in the QS World University Rankings 2023 and is in the top 10 UK universities for social inclusion (The Times Good University Guide 2024).
University of Sunderland profile →Meet the academic
Sarah Connelly
Sarah Connelly a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Sunderland. Sarah is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Sarah’s expertise and research areas are around vulnerability, gender-diverse groups in the Criminal Justice system, the Appropriate Adult scheme and her teaching focuses on these topics. Sarah is currently undertaking a PhD, exploring how vulnerability is navigated in police custody processes within the UK. Sarah is also the Scheme Manager for the Northumbria Local Appropriate Adult Scheme which works to support vulnerable offenders in police custody and is a trustee of the National Appropriate Adult network.
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