Vivre avec un statut « dangereux » : l’expérience pénale d’hommes déclarés « délinquants dangereux » ou « délinquants à contrôler »
This thesis aims to understand and analyze the penal experiences of people who have been designated as “dangerous offenders” or “long-term offenders”; in virtue of Part XXIV (article 752 and following) of the Canadian Criminal Code. Nineteen men were interviewed as part of this study to get a deeper understanding of their experiences during their legal proceedings, while executing their prison sentence and in some cases during their long term supervision order. An important finding has shown that these individuals go through emotional turmoil; in part due to the crimes they have committed and in part due to the sentence that has been imposed on them. Additionally, some of the men felt that they had a difficult prison life marked by exclusion, rejection, and physical or psychological abuse. Over time they are left with the feeling that they are powerless in trying to improve their situation and in the end convince themselves that their situation is permanent. Labelling someone as “dangerous” appears to be much more than just a “regular” sentence. It immediately discredits them which in the end alters how they view themselves and impacts the way they interact with others.
Dangerous offender Long-term offender Long-term supervision Indeterminate sentence Label Designation