BEYOND THE CARCERAL STATE: TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE, PUBLIC PROTECTION, AND THE LIMITS OF PENAL ABOLITION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/Keywords:
Carceral state, transformative justice, penal abolition, public protection, decarceration, restorative justice, violent crime, criminological theory, penal reform.Abstract
This article critically investigates the theoretical framework and institutional limits of penal abolitionism, focusing on the tension between dismantling the carceral state and ensuring robust public protection. The study evaluates transformative justice models—such as community-based accountability mechanisms, structural violence prevention, and restorative practices—as potential alternatives to traditional penal institutions. By analyzing how abolitionist theory addresses acute risk and violent offenses, the paper examines the legal, ethical, and practical boundaries of a post-carceral society, offering a nuanced perspective on balancing social justice with societal security.
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