Manufacturing Guilt (2nd edition): Wrongful Convictions in Canada - Softcover

Anderson, Barrie; Anderson, Dawn

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1552662683 ISBN 13: 9781552662687

Publisher: Fernwood Publishing, 2009

Synopsis

While acknowledging that innocent mistakes in identification are sometimes responsible for wrongful convictions, the authors of this study argue that the fundamental cause of these sentences can be found in the racial and class inequalities that characterize much of Canadian society. This newly revised edition presents updates on the six cases originally documented as well as two new chapters with more-recent investigations including a depiction of a man who was wrongfully executed. Demonstrating that the same factors at play in the criminalization of the powerless and marginalized are found in these cases, this argument strives to prove that contrary to popular belief, these verdicts are not due simply to unintended errors” but rather are too often the result of the deliberate actions of those working in the criminal justice system. Analyzing how forensic science is used as a resource for prosecutors rather than a science seeking justice, this reference suggests specific and achievable changes in order to remove the incentive for law enforcement to attain convictions, thereby preventing erroneous punishment in the future.

About this title

About the Author:

Dawn Anderson is an instructor in the sociology and justice studies departments at the University of Regina. Barrie Anderson retired from the Department of Sociology at the University of Regina in 1996 after teaching there for more than 20 years. During his career, Barrie was keenly aware of and involved in social justice issues. He passed away in February of 2007.

About this edition

• Publisher: Fernwood Publishing
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1552662683
• ISBN 13: 9781552662687
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 176