Tracing the lifecycle of Canadian criminal records

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it explains the current records management practices for Canadian criminal records. Second, it details the larger social and cultural implications of those practices, toward considering the role records management plays in long‐term sustainable offender rehabilitation outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a thorough literature review, which considered research on the history of Canadian criminal record management; current records management procedures for Canadian criminal records; and current Canadian social and cultural understandings of offenders, criminal records, and the relationship between criminal record management and public policy.FindingsThis paper finds that Canadian records management procedures for criminal records can have grave impacts on offenders' lives. Specifically, this paper explores how records management practices are shaped by the social norms and values embedded in public policy mandates, which ultimately appear to disrupt, rather than support, offenders' rehabilitation.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper's research is limited by its current approach. Consequently, it encourages researchers to further develop its findings in the future, both domestic to Canada and internationally.Practical implicationsThis paper includes implications that advocate for increased awareness about how public policy dictated records management procedures can limit offenders' ability to reintegrate into society.Social implicationsThis paper addresses the grave social consequences and burdens offenders face when they are unable to seal their previous criminal record.Originality/valueThis paper addresses the need to study how offenders' rehabilitation is affected by the policy dictating the management of their criminal record.