Dr Andreas Aresti, Dr Sacha Darke and Dr Sinem Bozkurt are among the winners at this years’ Convict Criminology awards which were held on 15 November in Philadelphia, for their work within the study of Convict Criminology.
Dr Sacha Darke, Reader in Criminology, and Dr Andreas Aresti, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, were both awarded the 2023 John Irwin Distinguished Scholar Award for their outstanding professional contributions to the study of Convict Criminology. Dr Sinem Bozkurt joined the pair, winning the 2023 Early Career Award for her contributions to Convict Criminology scholarship by someone early in their professional careers.
They were awarded the prizes by the Division of Convict Criminology, an organisation that gives a voice to current and former prisoners to improve knowledge, understanding and education around criminology, criminal justice and corrections research, policy and practices. Members include researchers, students and faculty members who come from a variety of backgrounds, some with criminal records and others without, who share the aims to bring prisoner perspectives to the centre of criminology and to advocate progressive justice reform across the globe.
Both Dr Darke and Dr Aresti have dedicated themselves to the field of Convict Criminology, holding a Convict Criminology at Westminster Symposium back in June. Held across different locations, from HMP Coldingley, HMP Pentonville to HMP Grendon, and finally culminating at the University of Westminster, the symposium provided a comparison of the prison experience in different countries, prompting meaningful conversations and expanding perspectives.
The four-day conference was the first ever criminology symposium held within a prison and brought together a diverse group of individuals dedicated to making a difference. It left all who took part feeling inspired, enlightened and more determined than ever to impact the world positively.
About winning the award Dr Darke said: ”Twelve years ago, convict criminology only existed in North America. I am so proud to receive this award for our efforts to internationalise the perspective. I dedicate the award to the hundreds of prisoners we have worked with over the years, some of whom are now master’s or PhD students at the university.”
Dr Andreas added: “I feel so privileged to receive this award and to be acknowledged for the hard work we have put in to developing the Convict Criminology perspective, here in the UK and internationally. Our HE prisons projects make such a difference to the people inside prison in so many ways, but at the most basic level, it enables them to forget where they are, just for a few hours.”
Dr Bozkurt completed a BA and MA in Criminology before undertaking her PhD at Westminster and becoming a Criminology Lecturer. Throughout her life she has overcome multiple hurdles, one of which was going to prison while she was working as a prison officer. Struggling to financially survive, she started smuggling in drugs to the prison but was caught and arrested. She served time in prison but was able to continue her Master’s at Westminster. Now as a lecturer in Criminology she is able to offer valuable insights to her students and support those who may be in similar positions that she found herself in.
About winning the award she said: “I come from a working-class upbringing and have had a very rocky journey, overcoming an abusive relationship, single-handedly raising two children for most of their formative years and experiencing a period of imprisonment. This award serves as a tribute to my determination, and my hope is for it to inspire any woman who may find herself in circumstances similar to mine at some point. I emerged from these experiences, not weakened by bitterness but strengthened and improved, demonstrating the power of resilience.”
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